Markaz Agreed to Evacuate Masjid After Doval Intervention: Report

Doval was asked to step in after the maulana reportedly refused to evacuate the premises.

Ajit Doval meets Maulana Saad of the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin.

(Photo: PTI)

At least 24 people, including eight Indonesians and two Thai nationals, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus after attending a religious gathering at the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin on 13 March. Markaz Nizamuddin has been the international headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat for nearly 100 years.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Maulana Saad, head of Nizamuddin Markaz, reportedly refused to cooperate with the Delhi Police and leave the Banglewali Masjid. The report, quoting Home Ministry officials, said that Amit Shah requested National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to step in.

Since January, over 2,500 people, including hundreds of foreigners, attended the markaz congregation.

Nizamuddin in South Delhi has now been cordoned off with the civic department officials carrying out the task of sanitising the area. Various state governments across India has issued directions to people to reveal if they have attended the congregation and get themselves tested.