Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned that offering namaz on roads or public intersections will not be allowed [1].
The directive comes as the state government seeks to balance religious practice with public infrastructure needs. The move has sparked a political debate regarding the uniform application of traffic laws across different religious gatherings.
Speaking in Lucknow, Adityanath said that namaz would not be stopped in Uttar Pradesh but could not be offered on roads [2]. He said that roads are designed for movement and emergency access and should not be blocked by religious gatherings [1].
"Namaz will not be allowed on roads. If people agree peacefully," Adityanath said [1].
The warning was issued a week ahead of Bakrid in 2024 [1]. The administration suggested that prayers be offered in shifts to avoid congestion, and ensure that emergency vehicles maintain access to critical routes [2].
In response, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) questioned the government's approach. The party asked whether similar restrictions and rules regarding road closures are applied to other religious processions and gatherings in the state [1].
Adityanath said that the priority is the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of the general public. He said that while the right to pray is respected, it cannot supersede the necessity of keeping public thoroughfares clear for all citizens [2].
“"Namaz will not be allowed on roads."”
This directive highlights the ongoing tension in Uttar Pradesh between state-mandated public order and the practice of religious rituals in public spaces. By framing the issue as one of traffic management and emergency access, the government attempts to justify restrictions that political opponents, such as AIMIM, view as selectively applied. The timing ahead of a major holiday suggests an effort to preemptively manage crowd control, while the resulting political friction underscores the sensitivity of public space usage in India's communal landscape.
