Ahead of Eid prayers, prep starts at Brigade with an eye on the sky

Kolkata: Preparations for Kolkata's largest Eid-uz-Zuha congregation gathered pace at Brigade Parade Ground on Tuesday ahead of prayers scheduled at 8.30 am on May 28, with organisers and police officials overseeing arrangements at the new venue that has replaced the traditional Red Road site this year following recent administrative directives on public gatherings and sound restrictions. Workers were seen setting up poles to mount microphones across sections of the ground, while a small podium for the cleric leading the prayers was also being readied. Kolkata Police personnel supervised the installation of signage and barricading of parts of the area for smooth movement of traffic. Around three lakh people attend the Eid congregation twice a year, making it one of the largest such gatherings in eastern India.At a meeting at Lalbazar, police asked to ensure that no prayers are held on the roads anywhere in Kolkata. Cops will ensure that people wait for their turn to offer prayers without any traffic disruption. However, they have been asked not to misbehave but patiently try and explain to the faithful the importance of keeping the traffic flow normal.In addition, unlike previous years, Red Road will not be shut to traffic. "In fact, police will not allow any parking around Maidan except at TAI grounds, the YMCA and Bata grounds. The city's largest Eid prayers have for decades been held on Red Road after organisers secured permission from the Army authorities. The congregation was disrupted only during the two Covid years. Every year, the organisers coordinate with Kolkata Police on security arrangements, crowd management and traffic regulation ahead of the prayers.This year, the gathering will be shifted to Brigade Parade Ground after Kolkata Police requested members of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee to consider an alternative venue close to Red Road. A series of meetings between organisers and police officers was held over the past few days before Brigade Parade Ground was finalised.The shift comes amid recent administrative directives issued by the newly elected BJP govt aimed at ensuring that loudspeaker sound does not travel beyond religious precincts and that religious gatherings do not block roads or inconvenience the general public except on special occasions."The Eid-uz-Zuha namaz will not be held on Red Road this year and will instead take place at Brigade Parade Ground. The arrangements for the prayers are underway at the venue. There will be proper signage to guide those coming to offer prayers. People are requested to adhere to all guidelines," said Mullick Mohammad Ishaque of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee. "We will keep provision for a second jamaat if the need arises. Devotees should not worry if they do not get space during the first shift," said Nasser Ebrahim, trustee of Nakhoda Mosque.Cops said crowd dispersal and traffic movement plans were being prepared, keeping in mind the large turnout expected for the prayers. At Lalbazar, cops were asked to also ensure that cow and livestock movement takes place as per the rule of law. "We have merely been asked to ensure that the 1950 law prohibiting public slaughter of cattle is implemented strictly," said a police officer.