"No namaz on roads, offer in shifts": Yogi Aditayanath issues stern warning

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday issued an uncompromising directive against the practice of holding congregational religious prayers on public roads. He made it explicitly clear that blocking vehicular traffic or converting busy public intersections into temporary prayer grounds will no longer be permitted under his administration.

The Chief Minister strongly asserted that public infrastructure, especially roads and intersections, belongs entirely to daily commuters, including industrial workers, traders, school children, and critical emergency services like ambulances. He argued that no single group or individual possesses the legal or moral authority to bring public life to a grinding halt for localized gatherings. "You have to offer namaz, you can read it during your shift. We will convince you with love, and if that does not work, another method will be adopted," Adityanath said and also shared the video of his speech on X.

Reiterating that the rule of law applies equally to all communities without exception, the Chief Minister clarified that his policy is not an attempt to restrict religious freedom or ban prayers altogether. He emphasized that the administration's primary objective is solely to protect public mobility and prevent the misuse of shared municipal spaces. By setting a definitive boundary between private worship and public convenience, the state administration aims to institutionalize smoother traffic flow and eliminate potential flashpoints of civic friction across Uttar Pradesh’s major urban centers.