The historic Indira Gandhi Sarani (formerly Red Road), known for military parades and WWII fighter jet operations, became the centre of a permission tug-of-war for Eid-ul-Adha prayers this week. After initial denial by the Army citing “military use”, authorities have now accommodated the century-old tradition by rescheduling drills.
The Calcutta Khilafat Committee, organisers of the annual congregation, had applied on May 10 seeking permission for June 7-8 prayers along the stretch from Netaji Statue to Fort William’s entrance. On May 31, the Army’s Bengal Sub-Area HQ refused permission via official letter, stating operational requirements.
Defence sources told PTI on Monday that the Eastern Command revised its training calendar to allow the prayers, considering the tradition’s historical significance. State Minister Javed Ahmed Khan confirmed ongoing negotiations between organisers and military officials.
The Calcutta High Court in April 2025 acknowledged the Red Road’s Eid legacy dating back to 1919, when Shaheed Minar (formerly Ochterlony Monument) became waterlogged. After pandemic pauses in 2020-21, the congregation resumed in 2022 with CM Mamata Banerjee joining thousands amid rains.