A group of retired IAS officers has advised Haryana Chief Secretary Depinder Singh Dhesi to uphold the fundamental rights of Muslims to offer Namaz in public places. In a letter dated May 7, the group pointed out that, since the Hindus celebrated their festivals like Durga Puja, Bhagvati jagrans, and Navratra gatherings in public places, the Muslims have equal rights to offer their Friday Namaaz in public places. Detailing the CS with their side of the story on the Namaaz issue, the group asked the CS to intervene in the matter and prevent a division in society on the basis of religion. The signatories to the letter are Sundar Burra IAS (Retd) Former Secretary, Government of Maharashtra; Dr M A Ibrahimi IAS (Retd) Former Chief Secretary (Rank), Govt of Bihar; Harsh Mandar IAS (Retd), Govt of Madhya Pradesh; Amitabha Pande IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Inter-State Council, GoI; Ramani Venkatesan IAS (Retd), Former Director General YASHADA, Govt. of Maharashtra; K Sujatha Rao IAS (Retd), Former Health Secretary, GoI; Aruna Roy IAS (Resigned); Krishna Sahai IRS (Retd), Former Commissioner of Income Tax, GoI; Umrao Salodia IAS (Retd), Former Chairman Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation; EAS Sarma IAS (Retd), Former Secretary DEA, Min of Finance, GoI; and Ardhendu Sen IAS (Retd), Former Chief Sec, Govt of West Bengal.