India imposes Eid prayer ban on roads drawing criticism

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The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) has allegedly banned the offer of Eid -ul -Fitr prayers on public streets, the move has strongly criticized opposition leaders and even some of the ruling party allies.

Indian media reports that in the city of Meerut, police have issued a warning that those who pray Eid on the streets may face legal prejudice, including their passports and possible cancellation of driving licenses.

Meerut Superintendent of Police (SP) Ayush Vikram Singh said strict legal action would be taken against the violators, saying: “There have been instructions that prayer will not be offered on the road under any circumstances.”

He further warned that people books under criminal charges could not renew their passports without any objection to the court.

Opposition parties strongly criticized the move, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of targeting the Muslim community before Eid.

Samajwadi Party MP Ikra Hassan remarked, “Why is the government so upset with the 10 -minute Eid prayer? They go to the United Arab Emirates and embrace everyone but impose sanctions at home. Since 2014, the government has only sown hatred.”

Broadcast Media Outlet ABP News also questioned the rationality behind the ban, asking why long religious processions can stop roads for weeks, while 15 minutes of Eid prayers are not tolerated twice a year.

Even members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alliance have expressed dislike.

Food Processing Industries Minister, Cherig Paswan, said: “I do not agree with this politics. I am sure there are major problems to focus on it. We should focus on these people, not to talk about Hindus and Muslims permanently.”

Union Minister Chaudhry Jayant Singh, who is an ally of a BJP, wrote police action on X, “Planning towards Orlea 1984!”

In Sambhal, where tensions have been higher since last November violence, officials initially also gave rise to anger by banning the roofs. After facing the reaction, District Magistrate Rajinder Penisia made it clear that the archaeological survey of the archaeological zone from India near the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid imposed only eight to ten dilapidated roofs.

Meanwhile, police deployed drone cameras and CCTVs to monitor compliance with the guidance during Friday prayers. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sheesh Chandra said that collective prayers would be allowed only inside the mosques and inside the designated Eid.

To prevent the flow of the roads, members of the Peace Committee were instructed that once a mosque reached 70-80 % of the capacity, they should send worshipers to other places.

Samajwadi Party MP Zyur Rehman Barak condemned the sanctions, saying that the roof of a person was not owned by the government. He questioned: “If a person is not allowed to pray at his residence, where will he go?”

Chandra Shekhar Azad, a member of the opposition from Bejanur, criticized him as a competition among the police officers, saying, “To see who makes more malicious statements against Muslims”. “The police is not a court. They have no right to cancel the passport. I think Muslims will be allowed to breathe even in the future.”

In the neighboring state of Haryana, the Eid -ul -Fitr holidays were also canceled. Assembly member Chaudhry Iftab condemned the decision, saying that due to the end of the financial year, the holidays were closed to a gazette.

These restrictions have raised concerns about religious freedom and government -led concerns, as well as allegations that Muslims are being targeted unfairly under the guise of law and order.