Islamabad, Mar 30, 2025: Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have enforced a strict ban on offering Eid ul Fitr prayers on public roads, sparking widespread criticism from opposition parties, civil rights groups, and even members of the ruling coalition.
Superintendent of Police in Meerut, Ayush Vikram Singh, issued a stern warning, stating that legal action would be taken against anyone found praying on the streets.
The penalties could extend to the cancellation of passports and driving licenses. “Under no circumstances shall namaz be offered on the road,” Singh emphasized in his official statement.
The directive has triggered backlash, with many accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of religious discrimination.
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Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan questioned the necessity of such a ban, asking, “Why is the government so troubled by a 10-minute Eid ul Fitr prayer?”
Even BJP allies have voiced disapproval. Chirag Paswan, a key partner in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, openly criticized the decision, stating, “I do not support this kind of politics.
Our focus should be on bigger national issues, not creating divisions between communities.” Similarly, Union Minister Chaudhary Jayant Singh condemned the directive, likening it to authoritarian policies found in George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984.
The controversy intensified after a similar restriction was attempted in Sambhal, where authorities initially sought to prohibit prayers even on private rooftops. Following public outrage, officials later clarified that the restriction applied only to structurally unsafe rooftops.
To ensure compliance, law enforcement deployed drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring during Friday prayers.
Congregational prayers are now restricted to mosques and designated Eidgahs, with community representatives assigned to guide worshippers elsewhere once mosque capacities reach 70-80%.
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Prominent opposition voices have denounced the move. Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rehman Barq raised concerns about restrictions on personal religious practice, stating, “If people cannot pray at home, where are they supposed to go?”
Similarly, Bijnor MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad criticized the Uttar Pradesh police’s overreach, asserting, “The police are not a court. They have no legal right to revoke passports.”
The ban has fueled fears of increased government overreach and threats to religious freedom, with many viewing it as a targeted action against the Muslim community under the pretext of law enforcement.
