Kolkata Police bans weapons, tall Tazias for Muharram processions
Synopsis
Kolkata Police have drawn a firm line ahead of Muharram: no weapons, no DJs, no oversized Tazias, and no new processions. With Lalbazar deploying extra personnel and holding coordination meetings across all stations, the city is bracing for one of its most tightly regulated Muharram observances in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police issued Muharram procession directives from Lalbazar on Tuesday, 24 June .
No weapons of any type are permitted to be displayed during any procession.
No new processions will be allowed; only long-established processions may proceed.
Tazia heights must be restricted to prevent damage to overhead cables and electricity wires.
DJs are banned; loudspeakers must comply with Calcutta High Court -permitted noise levels.
Additional police personnel will be deployed on all procession routes on Friday .
Kolkata Police have issued a comprehensive set of directives ahead of Muharram, prohibiting the display of weapons of any kind, the use of DJs, and excessively tall Tazias during processions across the city. The instructions, issued from Lalbazar — the Kolkata Police headquarters — were circulated to all police stations under its jurisdiction on Tuesday evening, 24 June, with Muharram falling on the coming Friday.
Key Directives from Lalbazar
The police have made clear that no new processions will be permitted this year. Only those processions with a longstanding history of taking place in their respective localities will be allowed to proceed. Weapons of any description are barred from being displayed in any procession.
Regarding Tazia heights, Lalbazar has specifically instructed that structures must not be so tall as to risk damaging overhead cables or electricity wires — a measure framed both as a public safety concern and as a means of preventing disruption to essential infrastructure.
Noise and Sensitive Content Restrictions
The use of DJs has been explicitly prohibited for all processions. Where microphones or loudspeakers are used, organisers must comply with noise levels permitted under Calcutta High Court guidelines, and organisers will be held responsible for ensuring there is no noise pollution.
Authorities have also advised that no sensitive messages be communicated from within the procession. Police officers have been directed to monitor compliance with this instruction closely.
Coordination and Deployment
Deputy Commissioner-rank officers at each police station held coordination meetings with local station officers in the lead-up to Muharram. Organisers of processions have been asked to meet with police officers before the event.
Lalbazar is deploying additional police personnel along all procession routes on Friday, with officials stating that maintaining communal harmony and law and order will be the primary focus of the security arrangement.
Why These Measures Were Taken
According to police officials, the decisions were taken to preserve communal harmony in Kolkata and ensure the safety of all residents. This comes amid a broader pattern of heightened pre-festival security protocols that the city police have adopted in recent years for large religious gatherings. Notably, the explicit ban on new processions signals a more conservative approach to crowd management this cycle.
With Muharram being observed across West Bengal, including in the state capital, authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigil throughout the day.
Point of View
Noise, Tazia dimensions, and new procession permits in a single sweep. The ban on new processions is the most significant operational call, effectively capping the scale of public observance. What the directive does not address is the enforcement mechanism: without clear accountability for organisers who breach noise or height norms, the instructions risk remaining advisory in practice. The communal harmony framing is standard, but the specificity of the Lalbazar circular suggests the administration is taking no chances in a city where festival-season tensions have historically required careful management.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Kolkata Police rules for Muharram processions this year?
Kolkata Police have prohibited weapons of any kind, DJs, and excessively tall Tazias during Muharram processions. No new processions will be permitted; only those with a longstanding history in their localities will be allowed to proceed.
Why has Kolkata Police banned tall Tazias during Muharram?
The police have restricted Tazia heights to prevent damage to overhead cables and electricity wires, and to ensure the safety of participants and bystanders along procession routes.
Are DJs and loudspeakers allowed during Muharram processions in Kolkata?
DJs are completely banned. Loudspeakers or microphones may be used only if they comply with noise levels permitted by the Calcutta High Court, and procession organisers are responsible for preventing noise pollution.
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance during Muharram processions in Kolkata?
Procession organisers have been made responsible for adhering to the directives. Police officers have been asked to hold pre-event meetings with organisers and to monitor compliance, particularly regarding sensitive messaging and noise levels.
When is Muharram being observed in Kolkata this year?
Muharram is being observed on Friday, with processions taking place across Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal. Lalbazar will deploy additional police personnel on all procession routes throughout the day.
