Justice Markandey Katju Supports West Bengal’s Ban on Roadside Namaz Amid Muslim Criticism
- Roadside Namaz Ban: Justice Katju Says Religious Freedom Cannot Mean Public Nuisance
- Justice Katju Responds to Muslim Critics Over Support for West Bengal Namaz Ban
- West Bengal Government’s Ban on Roadside Namaz Sparks Debate, Justice Katju Clarifies Stand
- Justice Katju on Roadside Namaz and Loudspeakers: Law Must Apply Equally to All Religions
- Why Justice Katju Supported the Ban on Roadside Namaz
- Religious Freedom vs Public Nuisance: The Core Argument
- Justice Katju Says Restrictions Should Apply to All Religions Equally
Criticism from Sections of Muslims After Katju’s Statement
Justice Markandey Katju defends the West Bengal government’s ban on roadside namaz and loudspeakers, arguing that religious freedom cannot justify public nuisance. His remarks triggered sharp criticism from sections of Muslims on social media.
The ban on roadside namaz, and criticism of me by several Muslims for approving it
By Justice Markandey Katju
In an article, which was published on the website hastakshep.com, and which I posted on my fb page, I approved of the recent ban by the new West Bengal government on roadside namaz and loud noises by loudspeakers, as in my opinion freedom of religion cannot go the extent of committing public nuisance. Namaz on roads or roadsides obstructs traffic, and so is certainly a public nuisance, as are blaring loudspeakers
I said that the ban should not be criticised just because it was made by a BJP government.
I am a thoroughly secular person, but many Muslims launched a furious, vile and vicious personal diatribe, invective, and tirade against me, accusing me of being a secret Sanghi, having been bought over, being biased against Muslims, of wanting a Rajya Sabha ticket or a Governorship, etc., etc.
Many of the comments were whataboutery, mentioning many Hindu festivals and customs, in which also often public nuisance was committed, as if I approved of public nuisance by Hindus, and as if one wrong justifies another.
Some comments were very abusive, and I had to delete many of them, and even permanently block many. perons.
I clearly mentioned in my article that Hindu customs and practices which result in public nuisance should also be banned, not just Muslim ones. So the ban should not be selective against Muslims alone. It should equally apply to roadblocks by kanwar yatra etc and any public nuisance caused by Hindus while celebrating their religious festivals.
Yet a fierce personal attack on me was made by many Muslims, accusing me of being anti Muslim, secret sanghi, etc
I don't mind polite criticism, but I will not tolerate such nonsense, and will kick out of my fb page such misbehaved idiots. Enough is enough.
If anyone is unhappy on my page he/she should leave it and get out of it, and shift to some other page, where he/she is comfortable.
(Justice Katju is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India and a former Chairman of the Press Council of India. These are his personal views.)
