Kolkata, 28 May (H.S.):: Kolkata witnessed a major change in Eid-ul-Adha prayer arrangements this year, as the traditional congregational prayers were not held on Red Road for the first time in decades. Instead, the prayers on Thursday were organised at the Brigade Parade Ground.

From 1977 to 2026, during both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments, Red Road had traditionally hosted large congregational prayers twice every year on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. During the Trinamool regime, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regularly attended the Red Road prayer gatherings.

For several years, concerns had been raised regarding traffic congestion and public inconvenience caused by prayers held on major roads. This year, no Eid-ul-Adha prayers were permitted on public roads anywhere in Kolkata. The administration restricted all major gatherings to designated grounds and enclosed premises.

Kolkata Police made elaborate security arrangements across the city for Bakrid celebrations. Additional police personnel were deployed around the Brigade Parade Ground and nearby areas, while security was also tightened near mosques. Drones were used for surveillance and monitoring purposes.

After assuming office, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had announced that religious gatherings causing traffic disruptions on public roads would no longer be allowed in the state. The change in the venue for this year’s Bakrid prayers reflected the implementation of that policy.

Notably, last year the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army, under whose administrative control Red Road falls, had reportedly asked the Khilafat Committee to look for an alternative venue citing security concerns. At that time, then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said she would try to obtain permission from Army authorities. However, following the change in government, this year’s Eid-ul-Adha prayers were ultimately shifted to the Brigade Parade Ground.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey