"Humanity Is Above All": Calcutta High Court Frowns Upon Fatal Clashes Between Worshippers Outside Mosque, Orders Police To 'Take Control'

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday expressed concern over clashes between two groups of worshippers over prayer timings outside a mosque, leading to one death and several injuries.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh took exception to the outbreak of violence, and directed the local police to "Take over" and regulate entry and exit to the mosque.

"Humanity is above all...which religion says that you have to murder somebody? "Religion involves sentiment, consciousness and emotions...if any of these factors are exceeded, hatred arises...above all is humanity," the Court said.

The High Court was hearing a continuing plea wherein it had earlier fixed mosque timings to avoid clashes between rival groups. It stated that the violence which had broken out was an interference with the administration of justice.

It called for a report from the district administration and finally stated that in case these orders were also flouted, and any further violence occurred, the Court would stop all religious activity at the mosque.