The Uttar Pradesh government has issued statewide directives ahead of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha), ordering district administrations to enforce strict guidelines on animal sacrifice, public prayers, sanitation, and law and order across the state. The festival is expected to be observed on 27 or 28 May 2025, subject to moon sighting.

Key Directives from the State Government

Authorities have prohibited animal sacrifice at public places and instructed that roads must not be blocked for offering namaz. Only designated locations have been approved for prayers and sacrifices. The sacrifice of prohibited animals is strictly banned. District administrations have also been directed to monitor social media platforms closely to safeguard communal harmony during the festival period.

The directives follow a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, at which senior officials were briefed on preparedness and statewide security deployment was formalised.

Ground-Level Preparations: Kanpur Dehat, Pilibhit, Bhadohi, Basti

In Kanpur Dehat, police and administrative officials conducted inspections of Eidgahs ahead of the festival. Superintendent of Police Shraddha Narendra Pandey confirmed that all 167 mosques and 36 Eidgahs in the district had been reviewed. She noted that 8 Eidgahs are expected to draw between 500 and 1,000 people each, and 7 Eidgahs are expected to see crowds of over 1,000. Designated prayer sites have been arranged wherever large gatherings are anticipated.

In Pilibhit, peace committee meetings were held and security arrangements reviewed. District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh said residents had been advised not to offer namaz in public spaces, and that power and water departments had been alerted to ensure uninterrupted supply. Superintendent of Police Sukirti Madhav added that flag marches have been planned and action against illegal activities was discussed in stakeholder briefings. The meetings also covered preparations for Ganga Dussehra, which falls around the same period.

In Bhadohi, peace committee meetings were organised at police station, tehsil, and village levels. District Magistrate Shailesh Kumar said all communities had been taken into confidence ahead of the two overlapping festivals — Ganga Dussehra and Bakrid.

In Basti, Superintendent of Police Yashveer Singh said security had been reinforced through drone monitoring, intensified police patrolling, and peace committee meetings to ensure compliance with guidelines on open sacrifice and road-blocking prayers.

What Officials Said

SP Pandey of Kanpur Dehat told reporters: 'Preparations for Bakrid are complete... All Eidgahs have been reviewed. Namaz is not offered in open areas here; wherever there is a large crowd, arrangements have been made for shifted or designated prayer sites. Regarding the sacrifice (Qurbani) and the disposal of remains, everyone has been informed, and all have agreed.'

DM Singh of Pilibhit said: 'Everyone has been advised not to perform namaz in public spaces. Additionally, restricted animals must not be sacrificed. Cleanliness and hygiene must be maintained. Administration and police force have been informed to take all precautionary measures to maintain law and order.'

DM Kumar of Bhadohi noted: 'Two major festivals are being celebrated... Keeping this in view, peace committee meetings have been conducted at police station, tehsil, and village levels, and all communities have been taken into confidence.'

What Comes Next

With Bakrid and Ganga Dussehra converging on the same weekend, UP's administrative machinery is operating under heightened alert. Drone surveillance, flag marches, and round-the-clock patrolling are expected to remain in place through the festival period. Officials have urged all communities to celebrate peacefully and in full compliance with the prescribed guidelines.