High Court Upholds Public Order in Religious Practice Case

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition seeking security for offering namaz on public land in Sambhal district. The court stated that religious practice rights are not absolute and cannot disrupt public order. The petition was dismissed as the land is public and not exclusively the petitioner's.

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking security and permission for namaz on public land in Sambhal district. The court emphasized that the right to practice religion is subject to public order and must not interfere with the rights of others.

Justices Saral Srivastava and Garima Prasad observed that the existing social balance must be maintained and new religious practices should not disrupt it. The petitioner's claim of ownership, based on a gift deed, was rejected as the land is Abadi land intended for public use.

The court noted that traditionally, namaz was only offered on Eid at this location. The attempt to establish larger, regular congregations was seen as potentially disruptive. The petition was dismissed, affirming that public land is for common use and not for exclusive religious purposes.