Indian Muslims fear as they are denied public space for Eid prayers
Sajid Raina và Tauseef Ahmad / Al Jazeera English
In Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, the Muslim community faces growing pressure as authorities restrict outdoor prayers, turning the festive atmosphere of Eid al-Adha into one of tension and anxiety. Many fear harassment, fines, or demolition of property for praying in public spaces, while mosque committees advise worshippers to avoid confrontation and keep gatherings small.
Meerut, India – In the village of Maliyana in Uttar Pradesh state, about 80 km from the capital New Delhi, a group of Muslim men gathered inside a small mosque to discuss arrangements for Eid al-Adha prayers.
The mood was far from festive. Instead of talking about sacrifices or charity, the conversation revolved around more pressing issues: roads, barricades, police permits, and where and how to hold prayers on Thursday.
“Do not gather outside the mosque gate,” instructed a mosque committee member. “If the mosque is full, wait for the next prayer shift. Avoid arguments. Avoid filming. Do not respond if provoked.”
The men nodded quietly. Some scrolled through WhatsApp groups where local police advisories had been shared, urging Muslims not to hold prayers in public places.
‘People are naturally afraid’
For more than a decade, Hindu nationalist groups, emboldened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014, have opposed Muslims holding public prayers on Fridays and during festivals, citing traffic disruption and security concerns.
Last week, the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanded a nationwide ban on street prayers, calling them a “show of strength” by the Muslim community. Muslims, however, say the ban ignores the reality that many mosques and Eid prayer grounds are too small to accommodate all worshippers, especially in densely populated urban areas.
On May 18, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath – a hardline Hindu monk known for anti-Muslim rhetoric – posted on social media that Muslims should pray Eid al-Adha “in shifts.” He said: “If they agree peacefully, it is good; if not, we will take other measures.”
A Muslim man in Meerut who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Last year, people were fined for praying outdoors. Some had their homes demolished, and there were reports of driver’s licenses and passports being canceled. After seeing that, people are naturally afraid.”
‘Eid morning used to be full of joy’
Many Muslims in Uttar Pradesh say the restrictions are creating a tense atmosphere. Mosque committees are quietly adjusting their Eid plans: reducing gathering sizes, asking worshippers to arrive in smaller groups, or to disperse quickly after prayers.
Mohammad Arif, 42, a member of a mosque committee in Meerut, said: “For many Muslims, the worry is no longer just where Eid prayers will be held, but whether gathering publicly as a religious community is increasingly being viewed with suspicion.”
Arshad, 33, a shop owner in Meerut, said: “Eid morning used to be full of joy. Now, there is tension from the night before. People keep checking if the police will come, or if someone will film and post it online.”
Numan Khan, a student at Aligarh Muslim University, said: “Even if nothing physical happens, people are afraid of being filmed, targeted online, or accused of something. Parents tell their children not to stand outside the mosque to avoid trouble.”
‘No one wants confrontation’
In Muslim neighborhoods of New Delhi, residents describe increasing caution around visible religious celebrations. Many say they carefully consider where to stand for prayers, how long to stay outside the mosque, and whether gatherings could trigger complaints or online outrage.
Danish Khan, 24, a garment seller, said: “No one wants confrontation. People just want to pray and go home. But now every Eid comes with uncertainty about what new restrictions might appear.”
Despite the anxiety, markets remain crowded late into the night. Children eagerly ask parents for new shoes and sweets. Inside mosques, volunteers clean carpets and arrange water for the thousands of worshippers expected to flock there on Eid morning.
But beneath the familiar rhythm of the festival lies a persistent unease. Animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha is also under tight scrutiny and strict regulation, with threats of consequences if blood or animal waste flows into drains or public streets.
Selective enforcement of the law
While the government views the restrictions as necessary to manage traffic and public order, large Hindu religious festivals and processions are facilitated with police support and public infrastructure. Critics argue this contrast deepens perceptions of unequal law enforcement.
A lawyer in New Delhi who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The Constitution protects religious freedom, but if one community is constantly under greater scrutiny while others are facilitated, it raises questions about equality before the law.”
Over the past decade, authorities in several BJP-ruled states have filed criminal cases against Muslims allegedly praying outdoors without permission. In some cases, homes or properties of those accused of organizing public prayers have also been demolished.
Sociologist Azhar Ahmad Khan said: “Public space is not just physical space. It is also symbolic. The debate about prayer is ultimately about who feels entitled to be present, to be recognized, and to belong in contemporary India.”
