9 hours Ago
KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court ordered police in Egra, East Midnapore , on Wednesday to "take over" and regulate entry to a local mosque where a clash between two groups of worshippers over prayer timings had claimed one life and left eight injured on Nov 13. "Humanity is above all," the court said, adding, "Which religion says that you have to murder somebody?" The HC was hearing a plea that claimed that an order by it on Nov 7, fixing schedules for rival groups to offer prayers at the mosque to avoid confrontation, had been flouted. The court was also told that three FIRs had been lodged and two people arrested in connection with the subsequent violence.
"Religion involves sentiment, consciousness and emotions," said Justice Tirthankar Ghosh. "If any of these factors are exceeded, hatred arises out of that. Above all is humanity.
.. This is interference with the administration of justice.
" The mosque should be taken over bypolice, and entry to it would be "subject to the approval of the inspector in charge of Egra police station", HC said, adding that such a measure was being taken out of "abundant precaution". The HC also directed the district magistrate and police superintendent to call a meeting between the parties. The administration was asked to submit a comprehensive report by Dec 17, after conducting local inquiries, on "whether it would be fit and proper for allowing any religious activity .
.. because of the incidents which happened at the behest of the contesting parties.
" The crux of the dispute, the HC was told, lay in the claim of one person who claims ownership of the mosque - a place where the rival group also wants to offer prayers. The second group moved the HC first, claiming they were being stopped from offering prayers. On Nov 7, Justice Ghosh had directed both groups to offer prayers at any time convenient to them.
Justice Ghosh said he would stop all religious activity there if, after the court's orders, there is "a casualty over a religious issue"..
