An empty liquor bottle was allegedly thrown inside a North Delhi mosque during Friday prayers, causing tension. However, restraint shown by the Namazis ensured that the situation remained peaceful.
Those present at Masjid Shahgul in Sadar Bazar at the time of the incident said that there were a large number of devotees at that point of time and an instant appeal for calm by the elderly managed to pacify those enraged. The matter was reported to the police soon after.
Recounting the incident, Zuheb who was also performing the prayer said as soon as the prayers started and the Namazis had occupied their slots in three different floors including the open area on the ground floor, an empty liquor bottle landed from one of the bordering multi-storeyed buildings and shattered taking everyone by surprise. No one was, however, injured.
A senior police officer said all angles including the possibility of a planned conspiracy with an attempt to trigger a riot were being probed.
Mohammad Naqim, who lives in the mosque, told The Hindu the timing makes him suspicious. Mr. Naqim’s uncle Javed is the general secretary of a committee managing it.
“Friday is the day when we hold the congregational prayers. Even within the day, afternoon prayers are the ones for which maximum number of Namazis come. The main prayer area was the target and it is a well-known fact that liquor is forbidden in Islam,” he said, explaining the grounds his suspicion was based on.
A police team, including senior officers from North District, visited the spot and assured the community members that investigations would be carried out and security will be provided for next week’s Friday prayers, they said.
According to the police, no case has been registered so far, but security has been beefed up.