A viral video showing a Muslim man offering Namaz inside a Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising questions about religious boundaries and interfaith practices. The incident, which occurred at the Brahmadev Temple in the Dataganj Police Station area, surfaced online on June 28, sparking outrage from local religious groups and drawing police action.
The man at the center of the controversy has been identified as Ali Mohammad, a resident of Daharpur Kalan village in the district. The footage, reportedly filmed two to three months ago, shows Mohammad performing Namaz at the Brahmadev Temple, a revered site for Hindus. In the video, he is seen praying peacefully within the temple’s complex, which has long been associated with religious activities tied to Hindu worship.
The emergence of the video has sparked an intense backlash from local Hindu organizations, who have accused Mohammad of violating the religious sanctity of the temple. These groups argue that performing Namaz inside a Hindu temple is a blatant disregard for religious norms and has the potential to offend devout worshippers. Calls for strict action have echoed across the community, with many expressing shock at the incident.
However, there is more to the story than what the video alone suggests. Ali Mohammad has not been a stranger to the Brahmadev Temple. In fact, he has had a longstanding association with the temple, having lived there for nearly 30 years. Over the decades, he has become an integral part of the temple’s daily operations, taking on responsibilities such as maintaining the cleanliness of the premises, ensuring the upkeep of the temple’s infrastructure, and even caring for the cattle, a practice known as “Gau Seva” that is central to many Hindu temples.
Despite his longstanding service to the temple, the act of offering Namaz inside the temple has been seen by many as a step too far. Religious leaders and local activists are calling the act an encroachment on sacred ground, questioning whether such interfaith practices should be permitted within a space meant solely for Hindu rituals. The video, circulating widely on social media, has become a flashpoint for deeper discussions on religious tolerance, interfaith coexistence, and the sanctity of sacred spaces.
This incident has raised an alarm similar to what occurred at the Tirumala Temple in May 2025. Tensions flared at the sacred Tirumala complex when a Muslim man, wearing a Hazrat cap, was filmed offering Namaz inside the Tirumala Kalyana Mandapam, a venue typically used for mass weddings. The footage, showing the man praying on a cloth laid on the ground, quickly went viral, sparking protests among devotees. The act was especially sensitive given the heightened tensions following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which had already made the religious climate more charged. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) authorities swiftly responded to the incident, initiating a security probe, while the police were also involved to investigate the matter.
In response to the controversy, local authorities took swift action. Krishna Kumar Tiwari, Circle Officer of Dataganj Police Station, confirmed that a case had been registered against Ali Mohammad under relevant sections of the law. “We have taken the accused into custody, and investigations are ongoing,” Tiwari said.
While some argue that Mohammad’s actions were an innocent expression of faith, the situation has underscored the deep religious sensitivities in the region. Local religious groups, in particular, are demanding that strict legal measures be taken against the individual for what they perceive as a breach of temple sanctity.
Ali Mohammad’s role at the temple, which he has served for decades, complicates the matter. His long-standing contributions to the temple community have made him a familiar figure, but the controversial video has now put his future actions under intense scrutiny.
As the investigation progresses, questions continue to swirl about the nature of religious spaces, the complexities of interfaith interactions, and the delicate balance between upholding religious freedom and maintaining the sanctity of places of worship. The Brahmadev Temple, once a symbol of devotion and peace for Hindus in the area, has now become the focal point of a broader debate about faith, tolerance, and the boundaries of religious expression.
The case is ongoing, and the outcome of the investigation will likely set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future. For now, the people of Badaun await further developments as this sensitive issue unfolds, caught between the traditional values of their religious communities and the growing call for greater interfaith dialogue.