Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath gave a strong warning against offering namaz on roads before Bakrid. On Monday (May 19), he spoke at an event organised by Amar Ujala in Lucknow.
The CM said the government will not allow people to block roads for prayers or large gatherings. He said people should offer namaz only at fixed places. If the number of people is high, they should pray in shifts.
Yogi said the government does not want to stop anyone from praying. However, he added that roads belong to the public and people cannot disturb traffic in the name of religion.
He said, “Roads are for the movement of people and vehicles. Nobody has the right to create disorder or block traffic.”
Remarks on Population and Law
During his speech, Yogi also spoke about population growth. He said some people told him that large crowds gather because the population is high. He replied that people should control their numbers if they do not have enough resources.
He stressed that everyone must follow the law and live within the system. According to him, the same rules apply to every citizen, regardless of religion or community.
CM Refers to Bareilly Violence
The Chief Minister also mentioned the violence that took place in Bareilly in September 2025.
The controversy started after Muslim leader Maulana Tauqeer Raza announced a protest after Friday prayers over the “I Love Mohammad” issue. Police tried to stop the gathering. Soon after, clashes broke out and some people threw stones at the police. The police later used batons to control the crowd.
Referring to the incident, CM Yogi said some people had “tested the strength of the government” in Bareilly and had already seen the result.
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Focus on Development and Investment
Yogi also spoke about economic growth in UP. He said the state earlier had a bad image because of illegal weapons and crime. Now, according to him, the state has become a centre for investment and manufacturing.
He said UP is now producing the BrahMos missile and attracting industries from different sectors.
The Chief Minister added that a positive atmosphere creates business and jobs, while a negative atmosphere encourages crime and mafia activities. He said the government wants every district to grow through the “One District One Product” scheme.
Claims on Women’s Safety
Yogi claimed that women now feel much safer in UP. He said women can work late-night shifts and return home safely. He added that criminals no longer act freely in the state.
The CM also said UP is no longer a “BIMARU” state. He claimed the state has remained revenue surplus for the last six years and no longer depends heavily on financial support from others.
He said the government is working for balanced development across all 75 districts of the state.
