Kolkata's largest Eid-uz-Zuha congregation will be held at the Brigade Parade Grounds this year, moving from its traditional venue on Red Road. The decision was finalized after a series of meetings between Kolkata Police and the organizers, focusing on crowd management and traffic arrangements, which concluded on Sunday.
Reason for the Shift
Police had previously requested the Calcutta Khilafat Committee to explore alternative locations close to Red Road. Following discussions over the past few days, the Brigade Parade Ground was chosen. A senior police officer confirmed that the necessary no-objection certificate from the Army, which oversees the Maidan, has been received for the Brigade venue. However, organizers stated they are awaiting formal communication from the authorities.
Javed Ahmed Khan, Trinamool Congress MLA from Kasba and president of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee, which manages the logistics of the prayers, announced that Brigade has been finalized as the Eid prayer venue. "We, however, are yet to decide what to do if it rains. But so far this year's prayer venue will be the Brigade Parade Ground," said Khan.
Another senior committee member told TOI: "Brigade has been finalized as lakhs of people will congregate to offer prayers. The arrangements like setting up microphones and signages will start soon."
Police and Stakeholder Involvement
Sudeep Sarkar, joint CP (headquarters), stated that the Brigade ground was finalized after consulting all stakeholders. He declined to share details about how police managed to engage with all parties. Sources indicated that there were assurances from the police regarding arrangements in case of rain on Eid day.
For decades, Eid prayers have been organized on Red Road with permission from the Army. The congregation, among the largest in eastern India, was disrupted only during the Covid-19 pandemic. Every year, organizers coordinate with Kolkata Police for security, traffic regulation, and crowd movement.
Context of the Change
The change in location comes amid recent administrative directives issued by the newly elected BJP government, which aim to ensure that loudspeaker sound does not travel beyond religious precincts and that congregations do not block roads or inconvenience the public, except on special occasions.
Historically, in 1919, the Eid congregation was shifted from Shahid Minar to Red Road when the Shahid Minar ground became waterlogged.
Peace and Coordination Meetings
Meanwhile, Bidhannagar and Kolkata Police are holding peace and coordination meetings with imams, mosque committee members, and community leaders across several areas. Officials from Bidhannagar North and Technocity police stations urged strict adherence to existing rules on animal sacrifice and asked people not to use loudspeakers without prior permission to maintain peace and communal harmony.
(With inputs from Srishti Lakhotia & Sarthak Ganguly)
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