Devotees go for self-regulation, conform to govt’s new namaz guidelines across Kolkata mosques

Kolkata: The city witnessed a largely peaceful transition on Friday as worshippers across several mosques offered prayers on the premises instead of carriageways, following verbal instructions conveyed by the police in line with the new govt's emphasis on traffic management and public order.

Community elders, mosque committees and police personnel worked in coordination across several neighbourhoods to ensure that prayers were conducted without any disruption. In many mosques, imams appealed to worshippers during pre-prayer sermons to avoid offering prayers on thoroughfares.

The developments come days after the new govt outlined its law-and-order priorities during a meeting with senior officers. The newly elected BJP govt on Monday directed police to ensure loudspeaker sound does not travel beyond religious precincts and that prayer congregations did not block roads and cause inconvenience to the public, except on special occasions.

Although no formal govt notification has been issued, mosque authorities said local police stations conveyed instructions on Thursday evening. Police remained present near major mosques throughout Friday to assist with crowd movement and coordinate with local organisers.

At the Nakhoda Mosque off Rabindra Sarani, cops announced from Friday morning that prayers would be restricted to the mosque premises. As prayer time approached, large numbers of worshippers queued up to enter mosque complex. While many were accommodated inside, some could not find space and requested permission to pray on the adjoining pavement.

Police personnel initially declined the request but later allowed a limited number of worshippers to offer prayers because of space constraints. Officers at the spot clarified that the arrangement would be temporary. "From next week, people will have to pray inside the mosque," said an officer.

Trustees of the mosque said alternative arrangements were being considered from next Friday to accommodate the large turnout. "We are thinking of conducting prayers in two shifts," said Nasser Ebrahim, trustee of Nakhoda Mosque.

Before the prayers began, imam Shafique Qasmi urged worshippers to offer prayers inside the mosque.

Similar scenes were reported from several mosques across Kolkata, including areas around Royd Street, Beniapukur, Kidderpore, Mominpur, Topsia and Park Circus, where most worshippers offered prayers within mosque premises.

In some places, people who could not find space inside prayed on pavements adjoining the mosque compounds, while the main carriageways remained open to traffic.

"We were told by the local PS that we must discourage people from offering prayers outside," said Maulana Shabbir Misbahi, imam of the Royd Street Mosque.

Residents and mosque committees said many worshippers voluntarily moved to nearby mosques after finding local mosques full.

An isolated incident was reported from the Rajabazar area, where a group of people briefly argued with police. Cops said the situation remained under control and was resolved with the help of local elders and mosque committee members. Worshippers were later accommodated in neighbouring mosques.

Traffic movement across most parts of Kolkata remained normal during the prayer hours.