Amir Sherwani, who said he witnessed the incident while returning from Friday prayers on 9 October, described how people at the mosques tactfully negotiated with the police personnel and offered to make the announcement themselves, as worshippers were still performing their Salah.
The allegation comes amid reports of Delhi Police personnel issuing public advisories against participation in the planned protest from religious places and other public gathering points in the national capital.
Eyewitness Alleges Police Attempted Announcement at Jamia Nagar Mosque
According to Sherwani’s account, the incident took place at Islah Masjid in Jogabai Extension, Jamia Nagar, while worshippers were still engaged in their prayers following Friday congregational prayers.
He alleged that a police personnel attempted to enter the mosque to communicate a message discouraging Muslims from participating in the protest organised by CJP on 10 October.
Those present at the mosque reportedly responded by negotiating with the personnel and offering to deliver the announcement themselves. According to Sherwani, this was done while worshippers were still performing their Salah.
The account places the alleged interaction at a religious site in Jamia Nagar, raising questions about how police advisories concerning political demonstrations are being communicated within places of worship.
A second source, who requested anonymity, alleged that similar attempts had been made by police personnel at Khaliullah Masjid in Batla House. The account suggests that the reported incident at Islah Masjid may not have been isolated. The circumstances of the alleged incident at Khaliullah Masjid could not be independently verified.
Old Delhi Mosque Advisory Puts Police Outreach Under Scrutiny
The alleged incident in Jamia Nagar comes a day after a report by ThePrint documented a Delhi Police personnel issuing a public advisory from a mosque in Old Delhi, urging people to keep their children and family members away from what he described as “unnecessary protests”.
In a video circulated on social media, the personnel can be heard asking people not to believe rumours or pay attention to messages that could incite unrest. He also urged residents to cooperate with the police and administration to maintain security in their areas.
The Print reported on 9 October that Delhi Police had also used other gathering places and marketplaces to disseminate messages discouraging participation in the planned demonstration.
A senior police officer told the publication that permission had not been granted for the larger mobilisation and described the planned gathering as an unlawful assembly. Another officer cited the intention of preventing young people from being misguided into participating in a gathering the police considered unlawful.
The report provides broader context for the allegation from Jamia Nagar, although it does not independently establish what happened at Islah Masjid. The two accounts raise questions about the extent to which police advisories are being communicated through religious spaces and the manner in which such messaging is delivered.
CJP Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner Scheduled for 10 October
The reported incidents come amid protests by Opposition parties seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP has called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, 10 October.
According to reports, Delhi Police maintained that permission had not been granted for the proposed large-scale mobilisation. The police cited public-order concerns and the risk of people joining what they considered an unlawful assembly as reasons for issuing advisories.
The allegation concerning Islah Masjid adds a local dimension to the wider dispute over the planned demonstration and the police’s efforts to discourage participation. It also raises questions about how such interventions are experienced by worshippers and communicated within religious institutions.
The account provided by Sherwani remains central to establishing what occurred in Jamia Nagar. A response from Delhi Police and confirmation from the mosque’s management would help clarify the circumstances of the alleged interaction.
The incident at Islah Masjid and the advisory reported in Old Delhi have brought attention to police messaging ahead of the protest, with the stated objective of maintaining public order and the manner of communicating such warnings emerging as key aspects of the developing story.
