Eid celebrated across UP amid tight security

Lucknow: Eid prayers were held across Uttar Pradesh amid heightened security, social media monitoring and real-time surveillance using AI-powered drones on Monday.
But a minor clash in Meerut during celebrations left some people injured and at least three in custody.
In Aligarh, some people were seen wearing black armbands in protest against the proposed Waqf bill pending in Parliament and alleged excesses on Muslims in some parts of the world.
The celebrations were largely joyous otherwise, with Uttar Pradesh police chief Prashant Kumar saying prayers were held peacefully at over 31,500 mosques and other designated places.
In Saharanpur, a group of people allegedly waved the Palestine flag and raised slogans after offering Eid prayers. Superintendent of Police (City) Vyom Bindal said the matter came to their notice through a social media video and action is being taken.
In Moradabad, some people attempted to pray on the roads due to overcrowding in Eidgahs, but police arranged a second ‘jamaat’ within the premises. “This step was taken for the safety of devotees, and the arrangements were successfully implemented,” said Additional SP (City) Ranvijay Singh.
Eid Congregations were held in other places in including Amethi (at 213 mosques), Varanasi, Rampur, Prayagraj, Gonda, Jhansi and kaushambi.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended Eid greetings to people trough social media posts.
In Lucknow, Eid prayers were held at the Aishbagh Eidgah, led by Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Minister Danish Azad, former Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and UP Congress President Ajay Rai attended the event and extending Eid greetings.
Some posters also were seen in the city during celebrations that questioned the ban on namaz in streets while congregations and celebrations on streets were allowed during other festivals like Ganesh Puja, Holi, Diwali and Kanwar Yatra.
BJP ally RLD spokesperson Rohit Agarwal questioned the ban on street prayers.
In Prayagraj, thousands gathered at the Eidgah for prayers under strict security. Mutawalli (caretaker) Mohammad Sohaib Mian Farooqi urged people offering prayers to do so within the designated premises and not spill onto streets.
Similar directives were enforced in Aligarh, where district authorities ensured that congregational prayers on the Eidgah complex in Shahjamal and Jama Masjid in Upper Kot were held without any encroachment on roads or pavements.
BJP MP from Aligarh, Satish Gautam defended restrictions on road prayers, stating, “No one has the right to obstruct traffic by praying outside mosques. Such disruptions do not occur outside temples during Hindu festivals.”
In Sambhal, social worker Saeed Akhtar Israeli, along with his team, showered flower petals on mosque-goers and police and administrative personnel stationed in the area.
Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq also regretted the ban on Namaz on streets.
On the security front, AI-powered drones were deployed in sensitive areas, and PAC personnel stationed to maintain order. Social media monitoring was intensified, with officials warning of strict action against any attempts to disrupt peace.
In Varanasi, Eid prayers were conducted peacefully at mosques across the city including the prominent Gyanvapi and Nadesar mosques amid tight security.