Questions of double standards have been raised over a decision to close Kolkata’s Red Road for four days in a row for Durga Puja events, after Eid prayers there were refused on grounds of security and traffic. The road was also closed for seven days for an International Yoga Day event.
The decision to close the historic Red Road in Kolkata, in the Indian state of West Bengal, for Durga Puja, after permission for Eid prayers was refused, has caused controversy. Critics call it discriminatory that the traditional Muslim Eid congregation was moved elsewhere on grounds of security and congestion, while the road is closed for days on end for big religious and government events.
According to Indian media reports, the decision to close Red Road was taken for events around Mahalaya, the start of Durga Puja, including decorations, a display by 3,000 dhak drummers, and a stage and other structures. Under guidelines issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, traffic on the road was stopped or controlled from 10pm on 6 October. The road was later also closed from midnight on 9 October until late on 10 October or the early hours of 11 October.
No permission even for an hour of Eid prayers
Eid prayers on Kolkata’s Red Road are a long tradition, held there every Eid since 1919, according to the information cited. But this time permission for Eid prayers there was refused on grounds of security and congestion, and worshippers were told to pray on the Kolkata Maidan instead.
The decision has raised the question of how an important road can be closed for several days to prepare and hold other events when permission was refused for a religious gathering of just an hour. Critics say that if traffic and security are reasons to stop the Eid prayers, the same standard should apply to other big events.
Red Road was closed for seven days for Yoga Day
The report also notes that Red Road was closed for seven days in a row for International Yoga Day. At that event Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Kolkata and took part on a large stage built on Red Road, with the state’s chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, and the then governor beside him.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report