Reporting on the Noida namaz row, a portal recently quoted some members of the Muslim community as saying that they "just need a piece of ground where they can gather as a community, spread their prayer mats and offer Friday congregational prayers in peace".

At a glance, it doesn't seem much of a demand. But in practice, this is how elaborate it gets: from as early as 10 am or 11 am, carpets and chairs begin to be brought into the park, along with at least two water tankers. Other arrangements like loudspeakers are made. The namazis — an estimated 1,000-1,500 of them — begin arriving from 1 pm on foot, in cars and on two-wheelers; the vehicles are parked inside the ground. By 1.30 pm, the namaz starts. It is organised in batches, each session lasting around 15-20 minutes.

A security guard posted in the building right opposite the park told Swarajya, "it doesn't stop at that. A biryani seller also parks his thela [cart] here. It's obviously good business for him. But this means the whole thing goes on till 3 pm to 4 pm at least. A lot of mess is left behind."

The entire exercise repeats every Friday, without any prior permission from the government, and on a land that belongs to Noida Development Authority located right in the middle of an industrial hub.