BAREILLY: Even as the standoff between the Barelvis and Deobandis over control of the mosque in Qutub Khana area refuses to end, the district administration on Saturday ruled in favour of Deobandhis by ordering status quo.

Following the order, the Barelvis, who want to manage the mosque through their Imam, launched protest marches against the government decision across the city.

On Friday, Sunni cleric and head of dargah Ala Hazrat, Subhan Raza Khan, dubbed SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav as an " RSS agent ".

"The SP chief is trying to create a wedge between Muslims by sowing seeds of dissent. He is wearing a 'khaki pant' beneath his dhoti," he said.

In his order passed on Saturday, district magistrate (DM), Gaurav Dayal, said, "Namaz inside the mosque would be conducted as per past tradition and under adequate security. The Anjuma Islamiya, the institution entrusted with the maintenance of the mosque, would discharge its duty within the framework of existing tradition and religious sentiments."

With regards to the appointment of the Imam, he said a committee headed by the additional district magistrate would conduct an inquiry and submit its report to the DM. "Till then, namaz inside the mosque would be conducted by a Muazzin instead of Imam," he said.

Reacting to the above order, Subhan Raza Khan, who, along with hundreds of his supporters, took out a march from the headquarters of Ala hazrat to Islamiya College, accused the local administration of acting in a partisan manner. Heavy police force was deployed as the situation remained tense after the decision of the local administration.

Appealing to both the parties to maintain peace and harmony, the DM said, "Those who are not satisfied with the order can approach the court."

The recent flare up has transformed the city into a battleground of different minority sects out to prove their supremacy over others, leading to violent clashes.

