Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday, 23 May expressed strong support for Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's directive prohibiting namaz on public roads, stating that law and order must remain the foremost priority during religious occasions. Singh's remarks came amid wider policy discussions across several states on regulating public religious gatherings, particularly in the context of Eid-related observances.

What Giriraj Singh Said

Addressing the issue from New Delhi, Singh said, 'This system is being criticised, and some in India have tried to spoil the atmosphere. I thank all those Chief Ministers who have made such arrangements from the perspective of law and order and issued such instructions. I especially thank CM Pushkar Singh Dhami for ensuring that no namaz is offered in public places…'

Singh's comments reflect a broader political stance within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that frames restrictions on public religious activity as a governance and public-order measure rather than a religious one.

Dhami's Directive in Uttarakhand

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had recently declared that offering namaz on roads would not be permitted anywhere in Uttarakhand. Speaking in Dehradun on Friday while addressing newly-inducted personnel from the Irrigation and Agriculture departments, Dhami asserted that 'no one is above the law' and stressed that ensuring smooth traffic movement and maintaining public order were among the state government's highest priorities.

Dhami specifically cited the ongoing Char Dham Yatra season as a key context for the directive, underlining the need for unobstructed movement and maintained public order during the pilgrimage period. He drew a clear distinction between personal religious observance and activities that cause public inconvenience or disrupt law and order arrangements.

The Wider Policy Context

Uttarakhand's stance is not isolated. Similar measures and policy discussions have emerged in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and other states regarding religious gatherings in public spaces. Critics argue that such directives disproportionately target Muslim worshippers, while proponents maintain the restrictions are applied on a law-and-order basis applicable to all communities.

This comes amid a pattern of state-level interventions across BJP-governed states ahead of major Islamic observances, a trend that has drawn both support from ruling-party leaders and sharp criticism from opposition groups and civil society organisations.

Singh's Remarks on Bakrid Practices

Extending his comments to Bakrid-related guidelines, Singh also addressed the practice of public animal sacrifice and cow slaughter. He said, 'Is cow slaughter done anywhere in the world, like in Iran or Arab countries? And even then, is it done on the streets? This was started in India to provoke Hindus. Even in places like Pakistan, we Hindus have always worshipped cows. So, to provoke and hurt sentiments, this practice of sacrifice was started. It is not written anywhere…'

Singh's remarks on cow slaughter are likely to intensify the political debate around religious practices in public spaces ahead of Bakrid. Opposition parties and Muslim community leaders have yet to formally respond to his latest statements.

What Comes Next

With Bakrid approaching, the directives issued by Uttarakhand and other states will face their first real test of implementation. Whether these orders hold uniformly across districts — and how local administrations enforce them — will determine their practical impact and political fallout in the weeks ahead.