By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A fresh dispute has erupted in Gujarat’s Bharuch city after a group of women performed Hindu worship inside the premises of the historic Jama Masjid, leading to protests from the Muslim community and raising concerns about communal harmony in the area.
The incident took place on 3 March 2026 at the Jama Masjid located opposite Pioneer School in Bharuch. A video showing several women from Surat performing puja inside the mosque compound spread widely on social media, leading to strong reactions from local residents.
Members of the Jama Masjid Trust said the act was carried out despite objections from mosque authorities. They alleged that the move was a deliberate attempt to create tension in the city.
According to trust officials, people present at the mosque tried to stop the worship when they realised what was happening. However, the video had already been recorded and later circulated online, which quickly drew public attention.
After the incident, leaders from the Muslim community and members of the Jama Masjid Trust approached the district administration and police.
Applications were submitted to the Bharuch Collector’s office, the office of the Superintendent of Police, and the B Division police station. The trust urged the authorities to take immediate action and prevent such incidents from happening again.
Jama Masjid Trust President Maulana Qureshi Ghulam Mustafa strongly criticised the incident and accused certain groups of trying to disturb peace in the city.
“We have clearly told the authorities that the mosque is a place of Muslim worship and any attempt to perform rituals of another religion inside it is unacceptable,” he said.
Maulana Mustafa added, “This act was not accidental. It was done in a planned way to create tension between communities. Bharuch has lived in peace for many years and such activities should not be allowed to damage that harmony.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
