Dombivli: In a contentious decision, residents of Khoni village, Dombivili have barred Muslims from outside the village from offering Namaz in their local mosque. The move, reportedly aimed at addressing rising crime, has raised questions about religious rights and communal harmony. Dombivli is a suburban city located in Thane district of Maharashtra and around 40 km from Mumbai.
The Madina Masjid in Khoni, a small yet historic place of worship, has long welcomed Muslims from nearby areas like Ambernath, Badlapur, and Kalyan. On December 27, Muslims from these surrounding suburban areas were turned away under heavy police surveillance. Villagers argue that overcrowding disrupts the area and the influx of outsiders results in recent crimes against women, though no direct evidence connects the incidents.
The ban has been met with criticism, with concerns that it unfairly targets a specific community and infringes upon the constitutional right to practise one’s faith. Local leaders, including Shiv Sena’s Mahesh Patil, warned of protests should outsiders return to the mosque.
Muslims affected by the decision are calling for dialogue to ensure that safety measures do not come at the expense of religious freedoms.
“This is a sensitive issue that demands unity, not division,” said a local Muslim resident. The Muslim leadership in Maharashtra is yet to come out with any statement on the issue.
