Kolkata roads remain open as Brigade hosts grand Eid namaz

Kolkata witnessed a significant departure from tradition this Eid as prayers were held at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground instead of the customary Red Road. In a notable shift following the 2026 assembly elections, the city and its suburbs saw no prayers being offered on public thoroughfares. Consequently, all major roads remained open to traffic from Thursday morning, marking a major change in how the festival is observed in the state capital.

The change comes in the wake of the new BJP-led government’s policy under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The administration had previously clarified that religious gatherings would no longer be permitted to block roads or cause public inconvenience. Following discussions at Nabanna, it was decided that the Brigade Parade Ground would serve as the primary venue for the mass prayers. Previously, during the Trinamool Congress regime, Red Road prayers were a high-profile event often attended by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

The transition to Brigade was also influenced by past security concerns raised by the Army. Last year, the 'Khilafat Committee' was informed that permissions for Red Road might be withheld due to security protocols, though the previous administration had requested special exemptions. Historically, Eid prayers were held at the Shaheed Minar grounds during the early Left Front era but were moved to Red Road to avoid issues related to rain and muddy terrain.

To ensure a peaceful celebration, the Kolkata Police implemented a robust security blanket across the city. Additional forces were deployed at strategic locations, and constant surveillance was maintained through watchtowers. Despite the change in venue, the spirit of the festival remained high as thousands gathered at Brigade to offer their prayers in a disciplined and secure environment.