NEW DELHI: Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) have imposed a ban on offering Eid al-Fitr prayers on roads, sparking widespread backlash from opposition leaders, civil society, and even members of the ruling party’s coalition.
In Meerut, police cautioned that individuals offering Eid prayers on roads could face legal action, including the potential revocation of passports and driving licenses.
Meerut’s superintendent of police (SP) Ayush Vikram Singh said that strict legal action would be taken against violators, saying: “Instructions have been given that under no circumstances shall namaz be offered on the road.”
He further added that individuals booked under criminal charges may not be able to renew their passports without a court-issued no-objection certificate.
Opposition parties strongly condemned the move, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of targeting the Muslim minority ahead of Eid.
“Why is the government so troubled by a 10-minute Eid prayer? Since 2014, the government has only sown hatred,” remarked Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan.
ABP News media outlet also questioned the rationale behind the restriction, asking why long religious processions can block roads for weeks while a 15-minute Eid prayer is not tolerated twice a year.
Even members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition have expressed disapproval.
“I do not agree with this politics. I believe there are bigger issues to address. We should be focusing on those, not constantly talking about Hindu and Muslim,” Chirag Paswan, Minister for Food Processing Industries said.
Union Minister Chaudhary Jayant Singh, a BJP ally, termed the police action a sign of authoritarianism, writing on X, “Policing towards Orwellian 1984!”
In Sambhal, where tensions have remained high since last November’s violence, officials initially caused outrage by reportedly banning prayers even on rooftops. However, after facing backlash, District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya clarified that the restriction applied only to eight to ten unstable rooftops within an Archaeological Survey of India-protected zone near the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid.
Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rehman Barq criticised the restrictions, adding that a person’s terrace was not the property of the government. He questioned: “If a person is not allowed to pray at his residence, where will he go?”
Chandra Shekhar Aazad, opposition MP from Bijnor, said: The police are not the court. They do not have any right to cancel passports. I think Muslims will have to get permission even to breathe in the coming times.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring state of Haryana, Eid al Fitr holidays were also cancelled. Assembly member Chaudhary Aftab denounced the decision, noting that the holiday was downgraded from a gazetted to a restricted status due to the end of the financial year.
The restrictions have intensified concerns over religious freedom and government overreach, with critics arguing that Muslims are being unfairly singled out under the pretext of maintaining law and order.
