Bijnor Namaz-on-Road Case: 40 Booked for Allegedly Defying Public Prayer Restrictions During Bakrid
Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district have registered a case against 40 individuals for allegedly offering Bakrid prayers on a public road, despite official directives barring religious gatherings from occupying roads and other public spaces.
According to the police, the complaint was filed by Inspector Rahul Singh, who stated that Eid prayers had been officially arranged at the Eidgah located on Jalilpur Road.
Security personnel and law enforcement officers had been deployed at the venue to oversee crowd management and maintain peace during the celebrations.
Authorities said the prayers began at around 6:45 a.m. However, a separate group of approximately 30 to 40 worshippers reportedly arrived later and chose to perform namaz in an open public area, occupying space between the Eidgah entrance and a portion of the adjoining roadway.
The complaint further stated that police officials informed the group about the government’s instructions prohibiting prayers on public roads.
Officers also made them aware of restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which had been enforced by the Bijnor District Magistrate ahead of the festival.
Despite being repeatedly advised to move to the designated prayer area, the individuals allegedly ignored the warnings and continued offering prayers at the public location, according to the police report.
Based on the complaint, Chandpur police registered an FIR against 15 identified individuals and 25 unidentified persons under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobeying orders lawfully issued by a public servant.
Ahead of Bakrid celebrations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had reiterated that prayers would not be permitted on roads and urged devotees to use designated religious sites.
He advised worshippers to conduct prayers in multiple batches if space constraints arose.
Emphasising the need to prevent disruptions to public movement, the Chief Minister warned against any form of disorder and stated that roads and other public spaces should not be blocked for religious activities.
He stressed that religious observances must be carried out in a manner that does not inconvenience the general public.
