Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Monday that offering namaz on public roads is not allowed [1].
The directive comes as the state prepares for Eid-ul-Adha. The government aims to prevent road blockages and maintain traffic flow to avoid what Adityanath described as anarchy in public spaces [1, 4].
Adityanath said that prayers should be performed in shifts at designated places to ensure that public movement is not hindered [3]. He said that roads are intended for movement and not for religious gatherings [4].
During his address, Adityanath said that while the government prefers a cooperative approach, it is prepared to take stricter actions if the rules are ignored. "Pyar se manenge theek, nahi to…" he said [2].
The Chief Minister said that the administration would manage the crowds if existing facilities proved insufficient. "If there is no space, we will control numbers," he said [1].
This move follows a pattern of strict law and order enforcement in the state. The administration has advocated for shifted namaz as a primary method to prevent the disruption of public services, and ensure the safety of all citizens [3].
“"If there is no space, we will control numbers."”
This directive reflects the Uttar Pradesh government's priority of urban mobility and public order over the traditional practice of street prayers during major Islamic festivals. By threatening 'other methods' of enforcement, the administration is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward public disruptions, which may increase tensions or tighten security deployments during the upcoming holiday.
