'Passports, licenses can be canceled': Meerut police warn against namaz-on-road
What's the story
Meerut Police in Uttar Pradesh has issued a strict warning against namaz on roads ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and the last Friday prayers of Ramzan.
Meerut Superintendent Police (City), Ayush Vikram Singh, said that Eid prayers should only be offered at local mosques or designated Eidgahs.
Violators could face severe legal consequences, including cancelation of passports and driving licenses, he added.
Security measures
Meerut Police to monitor social media closely
The city's senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada confirmed that meetings at district and police station levels have been conducted and necessary directives issued.
However, "strict action will be taken against those trying to spread rumors or incite unrest through social media," he warned.
Tada also said the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed for enhanced security.
Violations
Legal repercussions for violators of prayer regulations
Union minister and NDA ally Jayant Chaudhary has sharply criticized the decision, comparing it to George Orwell's dystopian classic Nineteen Eighty-Four, which depicts totalitarian surveillance and control.
To maintain law and order, SP Singh said drones would be used for aerial surveillance.
Local intelligence teams are actively monitoring the situation, while uniformed and plainclothes officers will also be deployed at all sensitive locations.
Safety measures
Drones to be used for aerial surveillance
This warning follows last year's incident when over 80 people were penalized for violating orders and praying on roads.
"If criminal cases are registered against individuals, their passports and licenses can be cancelled, and obtaining a new passport would become difficult without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the court. Such documents remain confiscated until the individuals are cleared by the court," Singh explained.