Meerut police prohibit Eid prayers on streets, Jayant Chaudhary decries move
Meerut SP City has announced that strict action will be taken against violators, including registration of FIRs, arrests and even the cancellation of passports
The Meerut police administration’s stern directive prohibiting the offering of Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on public streets has ignited a political controversy in the state. The order, aimed at maintaining law and order during the upcoming festival, has drawn sharp criticism from Union minister and NDA ally Jayant Chaudhary, who likened the move to the oppressive surveillance and control depicted in George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984.
Meerut SP City Ayush Vikram Singh announced that strict action will be taken against violators, including the registration of FIRs, arrests, and even the cancellation of passports and licences.
“Last time, cases were registered against 200 people for offering prayers on the streets. This year, too, anyone found praying on roads will face legal consequences,” Singh stated.
He emphasised that prayers must be confined to designated locations such as mosques and Faiz-e-Aam Inter College, particularly near the Idgah, to ensure public roads remain unobstructed.
The police have rolled out an extensive security plan, deploying drones, video surveillance, and forces like the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) to monitor key areas.
SSP Vipin Tada reinforced the government’s stance, declaring that no religious activities will be permitted in public spaces without prior authorisation. “This is about maintaining order,” Tada said, instructing police station in-charges to enforce the directive rigorously.
However, the measures have sparked debate.
Jayant Chaudhary took to X and posted: “Policing towards Orwellian 1984!” The comparison evokes Orwell’s vision of a totalitarian state where individual freedoms are crushed under the weight of unrelenting authority—a pointed critique of what Chaudhary sees as overreach by the Meerut police.
Members of the Muslim community have argued that the restrictions appear to disproportionately target their religious practices.
“If there are rules, they should apply to everyone, not just Muslims,” one community member remarked, highlighting a perceived bias in the enforcement.
The police have doubled down on their position, announcing in peace committee meetings that violators could lose their ability to travel abroad, including to holy sites like Mecca and Medina, as passport cancellations will be pursued alongside FIRs.
Authorities are also revisiting cases from previous years, vowing to track down and arrest individuals identified in past incidents of street prayers, the SP City confirmed.
No prayers on rooftops: Sambhal police
At the peace committee meeting held on Wednesday at Kotwali police, ASP Shrish Chandra clearly stated that the Alvida Juma and Eid prayers should be offered only in mosques and Eidgahs as per tradition.
“If anyone offers prayers on the streets or a gathering on the rooftops of houses near mosques, action will be taken against them,” he said.
The police administration is maintaining vigil regarding Alvida Juma and Eid. SP Sambhal Krishan Kumar Bishnoi emphasized that law and order must not be disrupted under any circumstances and that upcoming festivals should be celebrated peacefully. He also stressed that no new traditions should be introduced.
“Adequate security arrangements have been made for Alvida Juma and Eid prayers. Besides police patrolling, drone cameras will be used for surveillance in different localities. Offering prayers on roads and public places or a gathering on roof tops are not allowed. Legal action will be taken in these cases,” he said.