The Allahabad High Court has directed the Etawah Central Jail authorities to allow a Muslim prisoner to perform prayers and read the Quran, following allegations of religious discrimination. The ruling comes after the prison administration was accused of preventing the inmate from offering prayers and forcibly taking away his Quran during Ramadan.
The case was brought before the court by Uzma Abid, the wife of the prisoner, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal. The petitioner argued that her husband, detained in a high-security prison, was being denied the right to practice his religious duties, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
A bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Nand Prabha Shukla heard the case and took a strong stance against the prison administration’s actions. The court ordered the jail superintendent to ensure that the prisoner is granted full religious freedom, allowing him to offer five daily prayers and keep a Quran in his possession. However, the court also clarified that regular security protocols within the prison should remain in place.
During the hearing, the Uttar Pradesh government assured the court that it would investigate the allegations against the jail authorities and take necessary actions if required. The court emphasized that while security concerns must be maintained, they should not come at the cost of violating a prisoner’s fundamental religious rights.
Reports indicate that instances of discrimination against Muslim prisoners in Uttar Pradesh jails have been increasing. While Hindu inmates are often allowed to perform religious rituals freely—some jails even having small temples—Muslim prisoners frequently face restrictions on practicing their faith. This has led to growing concerns about the fairness and impartiality of prison regulations in the state.
The case has reignited the debate on religious freedom for incarcerated individuals and the need for uniform policies that respect the rights of prisoners, irrespective of their faith. The Allahabad High Court’s decision is being seen as a significant step toward ensuring that constitutional rights are upheld even within the confines of prison walls.
