Meerut police warn namaz-on-road can lead to passport cancellation; Orwellian, says MoS Jayant Chaudhary

Meerut, March 26 – In a move to tighten security ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut have warned against offering namaz on streets, cautioning that violators could face criminal cases, as well as the cancellation of passports and licenses. The directive has sparked controversy, drawing a sharp reaction from Union Minister of State and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Singh Chaudhary, who criticized the measure in a post on X, saying, “Policing towards Orwellian 1984!”—a reference to the Thought Police in George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.


On Wednesday, Meerut police submitted a list of eight individuals to District Magistrate Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh, stating they had violated last year’s ban on street prayers during Eid. Steps have been initiated to revoke their licenses and passports.

Meerut City SP Ayush Vikram Singh reaffirmed the administration’s stance, stating, “We have urged people to offer namaz at mosques or reach the Idgah on time. Under no condition will prayers be allowed on roads.” He added that last year, FIRs were filed against individuals who defied the order, and similar action would be taken this year.

Meerut Range DIG Kalanidhi Naithani warned that violators would face immediate punitive measures, including case registration and possible arrest.

Similar advisories have been issued in other districts:

  • Sambhal: SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi stated that collective namaz in houses would also not be permitted. “People can offer prayers at home but must ensure no untoward incident occurs,” he said.

  • Aligarh: SP Mriganik Shekhar Pathak noted that while no district-specific order had been issued, the state government’s advisory against public prayers was conveyed in peace committee meetings.

  • Hathras: SP Chiranjeev Nath Sinha emphasized that no prayers would be allowed in public places, regardless of religious affiliation. “It is a festival for people to celebrate at home,” he stated.

  • Ghaziabad: Police have deployed forces in sensitive areas, with drones monitoring gatherings. DCP Trans-Hindon Dasarath Nimish Patil said if crowds gather, prayers will be conducted in shifts.

Authorities say the measures are aimed at maintaining public order, but the move has ignited debate over religious freedoms and law enforcement’s approach to crowd management during festivals.

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