Today, On 6th June, The Bombay High Court told the petitioner asking for Bakri Eid namaz at August Kranti Maidan to approach the state government immediately, directing that the request be ideally considered within the same day without delay.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to consider, ideally within the day, a request for permission to perform namaz during Bakri Eid at August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Manjusha Deshpande instructed social worker Umer Abdul Jabbar Gopalani to approach the government’s social and cultural affairs department to seek authorization for mass prayers at the location.
Gopalani had filed the petition after the Gamdevi police station denied permission for the mass namaz, which is expected to be celebrated on June 6-7.
The police had cited concerns over traffic issues and the potential for a “law and order” situation arising from the use of the public ground for religious purposes.
The plea argued that the local Muslim community has utilized the ground for mass namaz during Eid for the past 50 years without any incidents of law and order issues or traffic congestion.
The bench referenced a 2006 order from the High Court, stating that permission to use August Kranti Maidan can only be granted by the Secretary of Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs and Social Justice Department, as the ground is designated a “protected monument.”
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August Kranti Maidan is historically significant as the site where Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942. Over the years, the ground has hosted a variety of events, including religious gatherings.
For instance, in 2012, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church received permission from the Chief Minister to conduct its Good Friday service at the Maidan, honoring a tradition that spans 55 years.
The court instructed the petitioner to submit a representation to the relevant authority, emphasizing that it should be resolved by Friday if possible.
August Kranti Maidan, earlier known as Gowalia Tank Maidan, has been an important place for Eid prayers, where local residents have been offering namaz for nearly 50 years.
Eid-ul-Adha will be observed in India on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Eid prayers are normally held 15–20 minutes after sunrise and must be completed before the Zuhr prayer.
The court’s directive highlights the importance of balancing religious practices with administrative considerations, ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with legal precedents and the ground’s protected status.