The Crossbill News Desk
With Bakrid approaching, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath once again asserted the state government’s position on public religious gatherings, reiterating that prayers would not be permitted on public roads and must be confined to authorised locations.
Addressing a public programme, the Chief Minister emphasised that maintaining public order and ensuring smooth movement of traffic remained the administration’s priority, The New Indian Express reported.
“Namaz will not be allowed on roads. If people agree peacefully, it's fine; otherwise, stricter measures will be taken," he said.
He added that people can offer namaz only at the designated places. “Roads are for common people to walk on. No one has the right to disturb traffic," he said.
Referring to past incidents to underline the government’s stance, the Chief Minister recalled the violence that took place in Bareilly during protests linked to the ‘I Love Mohammad’ controversy in September 2025.
At the time, Muslim leader and founder of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Maulana Tauqeer Raza had announced a sit-in protest after offering Namaz. When police attempted to disperse the gathering, stone-pelting broke out, following which police carried out a lathi-charge.
The Maulana, who had threatened violence on the streets of Bareilly, was subsequently arrested and remains in jail, while illegal properties linked to him and his relatives were later demolished by authorities.
The Chief Minister also referred to the issue during his campaign speeches in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, targeting former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged appeasement politics.
He had said, “Didi allows namaz on roads and restricts Hindu festivals. In UP, roads are meant for traffic, not namaz. There is no curfew, no riots, and everything is peaceful.”
Officials noted that the Uttar Pradesh government had earlier enforced a complete ban on offering namaz on roads during 2022–23, and the administration has indicated that similar rules will remain strictly in place during the upcoming festival period.
Addressing a public programme, the Chief Minister emphasised that maintaining public order and ensuring smooth movement of traffic remained the administration’s priority, The New Indian Express reported.
“Namaz will not be allowed on roads. If people agree peacefully, it's fine; otherwise, stricter measures will be taken," he said.
He added that people can offer namaz only at the designated places. “Roads are for common people to walk on. No one has the right to disturb traffic," he said.
Referring to past incidents to underline the government’s stance, the Chief Minister recalled the violence that took place in Bareilly during protests linked to the ‘I Love Mohammad’ controversy in September 2025.
At the time, Muslim leader and founder of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Maulana Tauqeer Raza had announced a sit-in protest after offering Namaz. When police attempted to disperse the gathering, stone-pelting broke out, following which police carried out a lathi-charge.
The Maulana, who had threatened violence on the streets of Bareilly, was subsequently arrested and remains in jail, while illegal properties linked to him and his relatives were later demolished by authorities.
The Chief Minister also referred to the issue during his campaign speeches in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, targeting former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged appeasement politics.
He had said, “Didi allows namaz on roads and restricts Hindu festivals. In UP, roads are meant for traffic, not namaz. There is no curfew, no riots, and everything is peaceful.”
Officials noted that the Uttar Pradesh government had earlier enforced a complete ban on offering namaz on roads during 2022–23, and the administration has indicated that similar rules will remain strictly in place during the upcoming festival period.
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