Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday defended his govt’s policy against offering namaz on roads, saying that public spaces cannot be blocked in the name of religious practices and “the rule of law will prevail equally for everyone.”Speaking at an event organised by a Hindi daily in Lucknow, Yogi said people often ask him whether roadside prayers have stopped in Uttar Pradesh. “I tell them to come and see for themselves. It simply does not happen anymore,” he said, questioning the logic of using roads for religious gatherings. He stressed roads were meant for commuters, patients and working citizens, not for obstruction.The CM said prayers should be offered only at designated places of worship. Referring to concerns about large congregations, he suggested that namaz could be offered “in shifts” (in mosques) if there are space constraints. He stressed the importance of following rules and regulations while living in a democratic system.“We are not stopping anyone from offering prayers, but roads cannot be occupied for it,” he said, adding that govt must ensure free movement for the public at all times.Accusing previous UP govts of promoting a culture of lawlessness, caste-based politics and appeasement, Yogi said the copying mafia and criminal syndicates flourished under their patronage and created an “identity crisis” for Uttar Pradesh.“Today’s New UP is free from riots and curfews,” he said, adding that the state has transformed under his administration. He said UP’s current growth and recognition were not accidental but result of decisive governance and law and order reforms.Recalling the Emergency imposed in 1975, Yogi praised journalists and editors who, according to him, made great sacrifices to protect democracy in India. He said the media remains one of the foundational pillars of democracy along with the legislature, judiciary and executive.Expressing concern over the rise of ‘fake news’ and ‘deepfakes’ in the digital age, he urged the media to adopt a more constructive and sensitive approach towards reporting rather than prioritising sensationalism.“Reporting done with greater sensitivity instead of sensationalism could have avoided many law and order crises,” he said.
