Curbs on Eid prayers

IF Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is to be believed, Muslims in Uttar Pradesh are as safe as Hindus, and all communities are treated equally. However, the Meerut police seem to be in no mood to prove him right. Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, they have outlawed namaz in public places, particularly on roads or in streets. Violators will be booked in criminal cases, which may lead to their passports being cancelled and driving licences revoked. The police have stipulated that Eid prayers should be held at local mosques or designated Eidgahs. In a communally sensitive state like UP, efforts to prevent disturbances and ensure peaceful celebrations are laudable, but imposing harsh curbs on worshippers from a minority community reeks of intolerance.

The controversial order has been slammed by none other than a BJP ally in the NDA government. Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Singh posted on X: “Policing towards Orwellian 1984!” It’s apparent that the police have been given carte blanche by their political bosses to use high-handed methods and ride roughshod over the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Religious processions of various communities invariably disrupt traffic in India. This is considered par for the course. Why should Eid prayers be singled out? Last year, a Delhi cop was caught on camera kicking people who were offering namaz on the road outside a crowded mosque. Meerut cops have employed a subtler method — harassment and intimidation — to deal with worshippers. Maintenance of law and order as well as communal harmony is merely a fig leaf to hide deep-rooted prejudices. Just a month ago, Yogi had lavished praise on the state police for their role in the successful conduct of the Maha Kumbh. Now, he needs to reassure Muslims that their Eid would not be marred by overzealous policing. It’s time for the CM to walk the talk on liberty and equality in UP.