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Indian Muslims protest against bill curbing religious rights

NEW DELHI: Thousands of Muslims here on Friday staged a demonstration against a law introduced by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government in India's largest populated state of Utter Pradesh (UP), aimed at to prevent construction of mosque and madrassas.

The UP Regulation of Public Religious Buildings and Places Bill, passed by the state legislature on January 6, has made the official permission mandatory for the construction of religious places.

Around 0.1 million converged at Jamia Masjid and marched towards prime minister's residence after Friday prayers. Syed Ahmed Bukhari Naib Imam of Shahi Jama Masjid in New Delhi addressed the Friday gathering. All roads within a three-kilometer radius of the mosque were jammed with tens of thousands of Muslims, shouting anti-government slogans.

"The constitution grants every Indian not only religious freedom but also freedom to preach and propagate his religion," said Bukhari. "But this bill attempts to kill this freedom. We demand its immediate withdrawal. APP