After Doval's midnight talk, markaz Maulana moves to clear out masjid

As Delhi’s Nizamuddin is turning out to be the biggest COVID-19 hotspot after the religious meeting held in March, reports claim that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had a key role to play in convincing the head of Nizamuddin Markaz to get residents of the centre tested and quarantined.

As reported by Hindustan Times, Despite Delhi police requests, Maulana Saad had refused to vacate the Banglewali Masjid, where the markaz congregation took place. Home ministry officials say that Doval’s intervention was prompted by Home Minister Amit Shah.

On March 28-29 night, Doval reached out to Maulana Saad around 2 am at the markaz and convinced him. It was only after Doval’s intervention that the Jamaat leadership agreed to clear the masjid. Prior to this, markaz had allowed only 167 Tablighi workers to be hospitalised on March 27, 28 and 29.

Doval has solid connections with the various Muslim movements nationally and internationally. Doval spends time with them to form a national strategy for India, reports Hindustan Times.

What happened between March 1-15

The markaz in the South Delhi neighbourhood organised a Tabligh-e-Jamaat from March 1-15 and at least 2,000 people, including foreigners and Indians from across the country, attended it. On Sunday (March 29) night, many residents of the centre started showing symptoms for coronavirus infection.

The Delhi police on Tuesday (March 31) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Maulana Saad and others of Tablighi Jamaat under sections of Epidemic Disease Act.

Markaz Nizamuddin, the international headquarters of the Jamaat for nearly 100 years, has said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Janta Curfew’ on March 22, the centre discontinued ongoing programmes but a large number of people were stuck because of the closure of transport services.

(With inputs from agencies)