Namaz room controversy: PIL filed in Jharkhand High Court challenging Speaker's order

Ranchi: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court of Jharkhand on Tuesday challenging the order of the Speaker allotting a room in the state assembly for offering namaz, claiming that it has set a wrong precedence. Alleging that the act is unconstitutional, the petitioner questioned if such an allotment can be done in a building constructed with taxpayer’s money. The assembly building is a temple of democracy and not a personal property of anyone, petitioner Bhairav Singh submitted. The speaker has allotted room number TW 348 for offering namaz, prompting the BJP to demand that a Hanuman temple and places of worship of other religions be built on the assembly premises.