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Namaz on roads-‘Roads Are for Commuting, not a Tamasha’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Warns Against Offering Namaz on Streets
UP- Warning against public disruptions under the guise of religious practices, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that blocking roads to offer namaz or any other religious congregation will no longer be tolerated in the state. Asserting that public thoroughfares must remain strictly for transit, the Chief Minister advised the minority community to adopt a “shift system” at designated places of worship if local capacity falls short.
Speaking at a high-profile media event organized by a prominent Hindi daily, Adityanath emphasized that the rule of law will prevail unconditionally across Uttar Pradesh. The remarks carry significant weight as they arrive just days before the nationwide observance of Eid-ul-Adha, a major festival where large congregational morning prayers frequently overflow from local mosques onto adjacent streets and public squares due to severe capacity constraints.
“After all, roads are meant for commuting, not to create a ‘tamasha’ (scene). What right does anyone have to block a road? Let them go and offer prayers at their designated places of worship. If you lack the space to accommodate everyone in your homes, then you must exercise control over your numbers.”
The Chief Minister clarified that his administration does not harbor any intent to curtail religious freedom or obstruct citizens from praying. However, he maintained that religious expressions cannot come at the cost of public convenience, civic order, and traffic flow.
‘Comply Peacefully or Face Consequences’
Adityanath issued a stern warning to elements attempting to test civic boundaries, directly referencing past incidents to underscore his administration’s strict stance against unlawful public assembly.
“We will not allow anarchy to spread on the streets,” he stated. “If you comply peacefully, it is well and good. If you don’t, we will employ alternative methods. Our primary objective is always to engage in dialogue. If you listen to us, excellent. If not, be prepared to face the consequences of confrontation.”
Evoking a recent law-and-order situation to signal the state’s uncompromising administrative posture, the Chief Minister added, “In Bareilly, some individuals attempted to test our resolve, and they certainly witnessed the extent of our administrative power.”
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Defending his governance track record, Adityanath rejected allegations of communal bias, claiming his administration has consistently pursued holistic development. “We have adopted a highly positive approach towards governance, working entirely without discrimination based on caste, region, language, or religion. The entire population of the state, every single resident, is part of our family,” he declared.
Opposition Rebounds, Alleges ‘Politicization of Religion’
The Chief Minister’s comments immediately triggered a sharp political backlash from opposition quarters, coming just a year ahead of the high-stakes Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections.
Reacting strongly to the statements, Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chaand accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately raking up communal issues to polarize the electorate as polls draw near. He emphasized that the Constitution of India guarantees absolute religious freedom to all citizens without state impediment.
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“Elections are coming up in Uttar Pradesh next year. And whenever elections draw near, the BJP’s lens automatically becomes religiously tinted,” Chaand remarked, adding that the chief minister’s provocative statements are an intentional strategy to divert public attention away from critical livelihood issues.
According to the Samajwadi Party, the real crises facing Uttar Pradesh involve structural governance failures rather than public prayer venues. Chaand highlighted that thousands of teaching aspirants continue to struggle for employment opportunities, alongside broader challenges of systemic youth unemployment, rampant inflation, and deep-seated distress among the state’s agricultural communities.
“The Samajwadi Party and the PDA alliance (Picchde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) are fully prepared to take on the BJP and its divisive politics. Neither the Samajwadi Party nor any other opposition front will allow negative politics to dominate the narrative or derail the real issues affecting the daily lives of citizens,” Chaand concluded.
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