Kolkata: Eid Prayers Shift from Red Road to Brigade Ground Amid Crowd Control Measures

The Kolkata Police directed organizers to move the city’s largest Eid-ul-Adha congregation from Red Road to Brigade Parade Ground, citing the need for effective crowd regulation and uninterrupted traffic flow. The Red Road stretch, under army control, was initially designated for the prayers, but the revised arrangement was implemented following official intervention.

The Calcutta Khilafat Committee accepted the directive and secured approval from the army authorities for the relocation. Following this coordination, thousands of worshippers gathered at Brigade Parade Ground, beginning prayers at 8:30 a.m. without causing any disruption to surrounding roads or city movement.

The administrative decision comes in the backdrop of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister on May 9 after the 2026 elections, with the new government emphasizing public order and the maintenance of clear streets. Supporters described the change as a positive administrative step, while organizers viewed it as a practical arrangement to manage large gatherings without daily civic disruption.

The event concluded peacefully, marking a coordinated effort between law enforcement, civic authorities, religious organizers, and the army to ensure both security and public convenience in one of Kolkata’s most significant annual religious gatherings.