Chandigarh, India - The Haryana government Wednesday said no ban had been imposed on holding of prayers (Naam Charcha) by Dera Sacha Sauda sect followers in the state.
While dismissing a ban on the 'Naam Charcha', Chief Secretary Prem Prashant said that the endeavour of the government and the police was only to ensure that peace was maintained in the state.
He said that no one, from any religion or faith, would be allowed to disturb peace in Haryana.
Prayers meetings of the sect had led to clashes in Haryana between dera followers and Sikh community members Tuesday, leaving over two dozen people injured.
Authorities in Sirsa and some other districts in Haryana had advised dera followers not to hold their prayers in the open in view of tension prevailing in some areas.
Dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh has been embroiled in a controversy with the Sikh community since May after he portrayed himself like 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh.
Violent clashes took place in Punjab and more recently in Haryana between dera followers and Sikhs over this issue.
Sikh leaders are demanding the arrest of the dera chief and ban on activities of the sect in Punjab.