Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that offering namaz on public roads is not permissible because it disrupts traffic flow [1].
The statement signals a strict approach to public space management in the state, potentially escalating tensions over the use of roads for religious observance.
Adityanath said that public thoroughfares are designed for movement rather than religious gatherings. He questioned whether anyone should be allowed to block traffic at a crossroads to create a spectacle [3]. To resolve the issue, the chief minister suggested that prayers be conducted in shifts to avoid congestion [1].
While the administration prefers a cooperative approach, Adityanath said that the government would take firmer action if the public does not comply. He said, "Pyaar se maanenge thik hai, nahi maanenge toh dusra tareeka apnayenge" [1].
In English, the chief minister said, "If they don’t agree, we have other methods" [2]. These remarks follow reports of prayers being held on roads and crossroads across Uttar Pradesh [1].
The administration maintains that the primary goal is to ensure the unimpeded movement of citizens. By requiring prayers to be shifted, or moved to designated areas, the state aims to eliminate the blockage of public arteries [1].
“"If they don’t agree, we have other methods"”
This directive reflects a tightening of administrative control over the use of public infrastructure for religious activities in Uttar Pradesh. By framing the issue as a matter of traffic management and public movement, the government is establishing a legal and civic justification for restricting street prayers, which may lead to increased surveillance and enforcement in urban centers.
