Roads are meant for pedestrians to walk: Kolkata cleric supports ban on roadside namaz without permission

“Roads are meant for vehicles to move and for pedestrians to walk,” Qasmi told PTI in an interview.

“Mass congregations on open grounds or designated spaces during festivals like Eid happen only once or twice a year,” he said. Such seasonal gatherings are acceptable with proper administrative permissions, but blocking roads for regular prayers is not correct."

The Imam also urged the Muslim community to utilise existing religious infrastructure for their daily spiritual obligations rather than occupying public pathways.

His remarks came amid tension in Kolkata’s Rajabazar area on Friday after a group allegedly attempted to offer namaz on a public road despite a recent ban imposed by the newly formed Suvendu Adhikari-led government on religious activities at public places without permission.

The situation escalated after police personnel arrived to clear the road and faced resistance from sections of the gathering.

Protesters argued that roadside namaz had been a long-standing tradition, while the administration maintained that keeping public thoroughfares clear was essential for maintaining law and order and ensuring smooth traffic movement.

The road was later cleared and vehicular movement resumed. Officials said the situation in the locality was under control.

The controversy comes amid the state government’s tougher stance on religious activities conducted on roads and public spaces.

According to BJP sources, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had directed during a recent Cabinet meeting that namaz should be offered only inside mosques and that religious gatherings blocking roads would not be tolerated.

During the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government, namaz and other religious activities on streets were permitted in several parts of the state.

The current administration, however, has argued that such gatherings inconvenience the public and disrupt normal movement.