ASI stopping Muslims from offering namaz in Taj Mahal, unjustified: Clerics

Muslim clerics Sajid Rashidi, and Mufti Mukarram on Tuesday said, Archaeological Survey of India prohibiting Muslims from offering namaz at the mosque located inside the Taj Mahal is unjustified.

The Muslim clerics also dubbed the ban as wrong and said the order violates their fundamental rights.

The Archaeological Survey of India on Monday imposed a ban on the people belonging to the Muslim community from offering namaz at the mosque located inside Taj Mahal on all days, except for Friday.

Speaking to ANI, president of the All India Imam Federation, Sajid Rashidi said, "The decision by the ASI is wrong, and they cannot have such double standards. In Delhi, they have around 123 properties, and within those 123 properties there are several mosques, they even wrote a letter to the Wakf board asking them to appoint imams in those mosques."

"What are these double standards? And why did they choose this particular time for coming out with such an order? All these government institutions, be it the CBI, RBI, etc.. all of them are under pressure. All this is being done to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims," he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Muslim cleric Mufti Mukarram said, "ASI's decision is wrong and unjustified, there is no explanation for it. People have been peacefully offering namaz there since a very long time, without any problems. Mosques are built to offer prayers, and it is our fundamental right given to us by the constitution. ASI shall take back their order with immediate effect.