Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Tuesday said religious freedom must not come at the cost of public convenience, offering a qualified endorsement of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive against offering namaz on public roads — while insisting that any such restriction must apply equally to all religions across the country.

What Congress Said

Tiwari stated plainly: 'I only want to say that everyone has religious freedom, and people should practice their faith in a manner they consider appropriate, provided it does not cause inconvenience to others.'

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput went further, calling for a legally uniform policy. 'There must be a uniform policy applicable to all religions, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian alike. If a ban is to be imposed on offering Namaz on the streets, then all religious events and gatherings held on public roads by other faiths must be subjected to an equal and corresponding ban; only then can such a measure be deemed impartial,' Rajput said.

CM Yogi's Original Warning

The Congress reaction came after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a stern warning earlier in the day at an event in Lucknow, stating that blocking traffic for congregational prayers ahead of Bakrid would not be tolerated. He said the administration would first attempt persuasion but would not hesitate to enforce public order norms if compliance was not achieved voluntarily.

BJP's Backing and the Waqf Question

BJP leader T.R. Srinivas backed the Chief Minister unreservedly, arguing that prayers blocking public movement inconvenience people of other faiths. Srinivas also questioned why the Muslim community was not utilising available Waqf lands for congregational prayers. 'Are you trying to do this as a show of strength? Please follow the rule of the land,' he said, aligning fully with Yogi Adityanath's position.

The Broader Context

The debate has intensified with Bakrid approaching, a festival that typically sees large congregational prayers, sometimes spilling onto public roads in densely populated areas. This is not the first time the issue of road namaz has sparked political controversy in Uttar Pradesh — the state has previously seen local administrations warn against the practice, though a comprehensive statewide policy has not been formalised. Notably, the Congress party's conditional support marks a departure from its usual posture on minority religious rights, signalling a broader political recalibration ahead of upcoming state elections.

What Happens Next

The key question is whether the Uttar Pradesh government will codify its stance into a formal, religion-neutral order — something Congress has explicitly demanded. Without such uniformity, critics argue, any enforcement risks being seen as selectively targeting one community. The administration's next steps, particularly as Bakrid draws closer, will be closely watched by both religious groups and civil liberties organisations.