NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday defended the state’s decision to prohibit offering namaz on public roads, pointing to the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj as an exemplar of religious discipline and orderly conduct.
In an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister highlighted how 66 crore devotees attended the Maha Kumbh without any incidents of violence, harassment, or disorder.
“Roads are meant for walking and those who are saying…. should learn discipline from Hindus. 66 crore people came to Prayagraj… there was no looting anywhere, no arson anywhere, no molestation anywhere, no vandalism anywhere, no kidnapping anywhere, this is discipline, this is religious discipline,” the UP CM said.
“They came with reverence, participated in the ‘Mahasnan’, and then moved towards their destination. Festivals and celebrations or any such events should not become a medium for insolence. If you want convenience, then learn to follow that discipline as well,” he added.
Last week, Meerut police had issued a directive saying this year’s Eid namaz in the city will be restricted only to designated places such as the nearest mosques and the ground at Faiz-e-Aam inter college.
While Eid prayers across Uttar Pradesh were conducted Monday under enhanced security measures, including AI-powered drone surveillance and social media monitoring, a minor clash in Meerut resulted in some injuries and three arrests.
The celebrations began after the Eid moon was sighted the previous evening, marking the end of Ramzan fasting and the beginning of festivities.
