First in years: Bakrid namaz moves from Red Road to Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata
Kolkata, May 28
Kolkata witnessed a change in arrangements for Eid al-Adha prayers on Thursday, with namaz held at Brigade Parade Ground instead of the customary Red Road venue, for the first time in years.
After several years, the prayers were not conducted on Red Road, where they had traditionally been held twice a year -- during Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha -- under previous regimes, including the Left Front (1977-2011) and the Trinamool Congress (2011-2026).
During the Trinamool Congress's rule, then-Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the Red Road gatherings twice a year. In earlier years, the use of open roads for congregational prayers often led to traffic disruptions in central Kolkata.
In fact, this time, nowhere in Kolkata was the Bakrid Namaz organised on open roads, which often caused traffic jams during the previous years.
Kolkata Police had extensive security arrangements in place across the city, including Brigade Parade Ground and its adjacent areas, to ensure law & order was maintained on the occasion.
Additional police personnel had been deployed all over the city, especially at places adjacent to mosques. Drones have been used for aerial surveillance.
In fact, after taking oath as Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari announced that the new state government will not allow any religious gathering on the road, causing inconvenience to the public at large due to the traffic congestion it creates.
The impact of this announcement was felt in Kolkata on Thursday, with the Bakrid Namaz organised at Brigade Parade Ground and not on the Red Road, as was the earlier practice.
Last year, the office of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, having the administrative authority of the Red Road, asked the Khilafat Committee to arrange an alternative place for Eid Namaz due to security reasons.
However, Mamata Banerjee then said that she would try to convince the Eastern Command authorities to give permission, but her rule ended after defeat in the polls, as a result of which the Bakrid Namaz was performed at the Brigade Parade Ground.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I understand the sentiment about tradition, but Red Road is a major arterial road. Blocking it for hours twice a year wasn't fair to regular commuters, emergency vehicles, and patients needing hospital access. The change is practical and long overdue. Kudos to Suvendu Adhikari for taking a stand.
Why is this even news? It's a sensible administrative decision. If you want to pray, pray in a designated ground or mosque – not on a public road used by all. The old practice was a relic of the past. The new government is simply ensuring law and order and public convenience. Well done 👏
Whether it's Bakrid or Durga Puja, religious gatherings shouldn't cause public nuisance. This is a good precedent. But I hope the government is equally strict with all communities – no road blockages for any festival going forward. Fairness is key.
The article says "for the first time in years" but also mentions last year the Army had already asked for an alternative venue. So Mamata was just delaying the inevitable. At least now the decision has been made and implemented. Security with drones is a good touch too.
I have mixed feelings. Red Road had become a symbol of communal harmony with multiple faiths joining. But practically, the traffic chaos was real. Maybe the government could have found a middle ground – like timings? But Brigade Ground is fine. Let's see how things evolve.
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