The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday, July 11, summarily rejected news reports that the Muslim wing of the organisation, Rashtriya Muslim Manch, was organising a grand Namaz and a recitation of the Quran in Ayodhya.
The RSS, on its official Twitter handle, quoted Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Arun Kumar, saying that the news reports were totally "baseless and untrue".
Earlier in the day, Raza Rizvi, the national media convener of the Rashtriya Muslim Manch, had told News18 that it was going to a be a grand event to which more than 1,500 Islamic scholars and clerics would be invited.
"They will perform ablution with the running water of the Saryu river in Ayodhya since the running water is pure. They will then offer prayers, to be followed by the recitation of the Quran to give a message of peace and brotherhood to the world," he had said.
The leader of the Rashtriya Muslim Manch, Shabana Azmi, had said that it was a misconception that Muslims are not allowed to practice their religious rituals.
"The other misconception is that the RSS is against Muslims. This event is being organised to give a message that Ayodhya is a place for both Hindus and Muslims," she was quoted as saying by News18.
(This story has been updated to include RSS’ clarification.)
(With inputs from News18)
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