Officials in India’s Meerut issue passport cancellation warning over public namaz on roads

Officials in India’s Meerut issue passport cancellation warning over public namaz on roads
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Authorities in Meerut, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, have warned that Muslim worshippers will not be allowed to offer Eid prayers on public roads during upcoming celebrations.

Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey said on March 14 that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the directive. Speaking to reporters during preparations for the Eid festival, Pandey stated that prayers must be held within designated places of worship.

He noted that the district has 544 mosques and 146 Eidgah grounds, and their management committees have agreed to ensure that worshippers perform prayers within these premises to avoid disruptions to traffic and public order.

Pandey added that while passport cancellation is not directly mandated under the law for such violations, police could initiate investigations into offenders, which might lead to legal consequences through appropriate authorities.

The statement follows recent controversy in the region after remarks by Kuldeep Kumar, a police officer in nearby Sambhal, who warned residents against expressing support for foreign conflicts during community meetings.

Officials say the measures are intended to maintain law and order and prevent road blockages during the Eid celebrations. However, the warning has generated mixed reactions, with some supporting the enforcement of regulations and others raising concerns about equal application of rules for public gatherings.