The reported warning issued by Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey regarding offering namaz on public roads
STRONG CONDEMNATION STATEMENT
By Dr. Anthony Raju, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Leading Human Rights Defender
The reported warning issued by Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey regarding offering namaz on public roads, along with the suggestion of serious consequences such as passport cancellation, is deeply concerning and raises significant constitutional questions.
India is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law and the spirit of the Constitution, where freedom of religion under Article 25 is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen. Any administrative action or public statement that appears to intimidate or disproportionately target a religious practice must be approached with utmost caution.
While maintenance of public order is important, it cannot override fundamental rights nor can it be enforced through threatening or legally unsustainable measures. The clarification that there is no direct legal provision for such punitive action further highlights the concern that such statements may create fear, confusion, and unnecessary communal tension.
Key concerns include misuse or overreach of administrative authority, violation of fundamental rights under the Constitution of India, potential discrimination and selective enforcement, and the risk of disturbing communal harmony ahead of a religious festival.
We strongly condemn any form of governance that appears arbitrary, excessive, or constitutionally questionable. Law enforcement agencies must act fairly, lawfully, and without bias, ensuring that public order is maintained without infringing upon religious freedoms.
We urge the authorities to exercise restraint, uphold constitutional values, and ensure that Eid celebrations are conducted peacefully with dignity, mutual respect, and harmony.
India’s strength lies in its diversity, and it is the duty of every authority to protect and uphold that diversity.
Dr. Anthony Raju
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Chairman, All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice
Mobile and WhatsApp: +91 8588872001
Email: office@humanrightscouncil.in
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