A major law and order situation unfolded in Kolkata’s Park Circus area on Sunday after protests against restrictions on roadside prayers escalated into violence, resulting in clashes between protesters and security personnel.
According to reports, a large group of demonstrators gathered at the seven-point crossing in the Muslim-majority locality to protest against recent administrative restrictions related to azan and namaz on public roads. Protesters claimed that the measures were hurting religious sentiments and targeting minority rights.
The situation turned tense after police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel reached the area to clear the roads and disperse the gathering, as traffic movement in the busy junction had reportedly been severely affected.
During the confrontation, protesters allegedly resorted to stone pelting at police personnel and security vehicles, creating chaos in the locality. Several police personnel were reportedly injured in the incident.
BREAKING: Tension at Seven Point Crossing in Park Circus, Kolkata, during protests over restrictions on loudspeakers, public prayers, Qurbani, and recent bulldozer action by the West Bengal government.
The protestors raising Allahakbar slogans turned violent after stone-pelting… pic.twitter.com/MUlnH82PnL
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 17, 2026
A CRPF bus stationed in the area was also vandalised during the violence. Visuals from the spot showed broken glass and damage to vehicles following the clashes.
As tensions escalated, police allegedly carried out a lathicharge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Several protesters were reportedly detained during the operation, though officials had not released an official figure regarding arrests at the time of reporting.
The unrest in Park Circus also comes amid growing anger among sections of residents over the state government’s recent anti-encroachment and demolition drives targeting allegedly illegal constructions in different parts of Kolkata.
The violence erupted only days after a similar tense situation was reported from Rajabazar, where people allegedly attempted to offer Friday namaz on public roads despite restrictions imposed by the administration.
According to reports, some local residents argued that offering prayers on roads during Friday congregations had been a long-standing practice in the area. However, the administration maintained that public roads could not be blocked in the interest of traffic movement, law and order and public convenience.
Reports citing BJP sources claimed that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had instructed authorities that prayers should only be held inside mosques and not on public roads, including major stretches such as Kolkata’s Red Road.
The incident has once again intensified political debate in West Bengal over religious gatherings on public roads, administrative action against encroachments and the broader issue of law and order in sensitive areas of Kolkata.
Security deployment in the Park Circus area was reportedly increased following the clashes to prevent any further escalation of tension.
