‘No more road blockage!’: Muslims offer Eid namaz at Kolkata’s Brigade after BJP govt crackdown

The prayers were offered on the occasion of Eid-uz-Zuha.

Venue changed after police meetings

The shift in venue was finalised after Kolkata Police held multiple rounds of discussions with organisers.

Police had reportedly asked the Calcutta Khilafat Committee to identify an alternative location near Red Road, where Eid prayers had traditionally been held for years.

Mixed reactions from community

The new arrangement drew mixed responses from members of the community.

While some welcomed the government’s efforts to manage traffic and public movement, others expressed concern over difficulties in offering prayers on open grounds during rainfall.

BJP government introduces new religious gathering rules

After assuming power for the first time in West Bengal, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari introduced a series of measures regulating religious congregations.

The administration banned namaz on roads, imposed restrictions on loudspeakers at religious places and tightened rules surrounding animal sacrifice.

Restrictions on cattle sacrifice

The government invoked provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, under which only cattle aged 14 years or above and certified fit can be sacrificed.

Historical shift from Shahid Minar to Red Road

According to members of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee, Eid prayers were first held at the Shahid Minar ground in 1920 before being shifted to Red Road in 1995.

The venue was changed due to persistent waterlogging issues at the Shahid Minar ground, which made offering prayers difficult during monsoon conditions.

(Photos: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)