Uttarakhand: FIR against more than 700 people after communal tension in Haldwani, controversy over performing ‘wudu’ for Namaz

An FIR has been lodged against more than 700 unidentified people following a clash between two groups over a public place in Haldwani in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district over ‘wudu’ by worshippers. Police (Uttarakhand Police) gave this information on Wednesday. Tension flared between the two communities in Haldwani’s Bhotiapadav area on Monday evening when some members of Hindu organizations objected to Muslim religious activities going on in the housing development colony. Namaz was being read at advocate Zafar Siddiqui’s house, but before offering Namaz, a public plot located nearby was being used by the Namazis for ‘wudu’ and some people objected to this.

Because of this the tension increased even more
Before offering Namaz, hands, feet and mouth are washed which is called Wudu. Eyewitnesses claimed that tensions escalated when some members of a Hindu organization gathered in the area and slapped Imam Shahid Hussain. Hussain lodged an FIR with the police. After this, Siddiqui also lodged a complaint with the police.

Both the groups were brought to the police station
SHO Harendra Chaudhary of Bhotiapadav police station reached the spot and found that Siddiqui’s house was an illegal construction, after which he sealed it. He told that both the fighting groups were brought to the police station. The police officer said, “We have registered a case against 700-800 people under appropriate sections for their involvement in the mutiny and violence.” Earlier, a woman had given a complaint to the police that the said vacant plot was being used Unauthorized religious activities are being done, causing disturbance in public place.