Meerut Police Enforces Ban on Eid Street Prayers, Citing Law and Order Concerns

The directive, backed by strict legal penalties and extensive security measures, faces criticism from political leaders and the Muslim community over perceived discrimination.

Meerut police have prohibited Eid prayers on public streets, mandating they be held in mosques or designated locations like Eidgahs to maintain public order.
Violators of the directive face severe legal repercussions, including potential cancellation of passports and driving licences, as well as FIRs and arrests.
Extensive security measures, including drone surveillance, armed force deployment, and social media monitoring, are in place to enforce the directive and prevent unrest.
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary criticized the move, describing it as authoritarian and likening it to George Orwell's dystopian novel '1984.'
The directive has drawn backlash from the Muslim community, who argue it disproportionately targets their religious practices, while similar restrictions are being implemented in other districts of Uttar Pradesh.