No Eid Prayer On Kolkata’s Red Road This Year, Army Says Venue Needed For 'Military Purpose'

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Last Updated:June 01, 2025, 19:28 IST

TMC Minister Javed Ahmed Khan, who is also a member of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee, confirmed that his organisation received a letter from the Army.

Kolkata's Red Road has been a traditional venue to host Eid al-Adha Namaz | File Image/X

The Indian Army denied permission to hold Eid-Ul-Zuha Namaz on Red Road—a traditional venue for the event—located in front of its Eastern Command Headquarters at Fort William, citing “military purpose" as the reason.

The Army has also informed the Kolkata Police and the Calcutta Khilafat Committee—the organisers of the annual Muslim congregation that draws large crowds—about its decision.

“The permission for conduct of congregational prayer for “Eid-Uz-Zoha" in general area Red Road on 07th or 08th June 2025 is not granted as the area is required for military purpose," said a Colonel-rank Army officer in charge of land under the Headquarters Bengal Sub Area in a letter addressed to the Calcutta Khilafat Committee.

Like previous years, the Calcutta Khilafat Committee had applied to the Army on May 10, seeking permission to hold the Namaz from the Netaji Statue to the outer entrance of Fort William’s East Gate on Red Road. The forum received a response from the Army on Saturday.

Javed Ahmed Khan, the Minister for State Disaster Management, who is also a member of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee, confirmed that his organisation received a letter from the Army.

“We have received the letter. A meeting has been called at our office on Zakaria Street in the afternoon. The members will discuss and take a decision on the matter," he said.

Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has previously attended and addressed Eid gatherings at Red Road, a traditional venue which has hosted Eid prayers for decades.

Ronit Singh

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...Read More

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