Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 22 May: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a firm stand against offering namaz on public roads in Uttarakhand. He has declared that no religious activity will be allowed to obstruct the movement of people. He said that in Devbhoomi, namaz on roads will not be tolerated and asserted that the law is supreme and that no person or group is above the rules. The statement came during a programme in Dehradun today, where the CM handed over appointment letters to the selected candidates under the irrigation and agriculture departments.
Referring to a Congress leader’s remark supporting namaz on roads, Dhami said that prayers must be offered at designated places such as mosques and idgahs, and that no one has the right to disturb established arrangements.
He emphasised that with the Char Dham Yatra at its peak and lakhs of pilgrims arriving from across the country and abroad, the government’s priority is to maintain peace, security and smooth traffic management. Roads, he said, are meant for public use and cannot be turned into venues for religious gatherings or demonstrations. He accused certain political parties of supporting road namaz under appeasement politics but asserted that the state government is working with a clear policy. He warned that strict legal action will be taken against those disrupting public order or blocking roads, adding that Uttarakhand’s culture, traditions and social harmony cannot be compromised at any cost.
Dhami’s remarks follow similar statements recently made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has repeatedly said that roads are meant for walking, not for prayers, and by West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari, who also opposed the practice. It may be recalled that former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, however, had earlier commented that while queues sometimes extend onto roads on Fridays, it is not a regular practice and that under special circumstances, people should have the right to pray, and that this right should not be denied to them.
