Kolkata will not host the annual Eid-ul-Zuha prayers on Red Road this year, as the Indian Army has denied permission for the event, citing "military purposes." This marks a rare instance where the Army has refused the Calcutta Khilafat Committee's (CKC) request to use the grounds in front of Fort William, the Eastern Command headquarters, for the large-scale prayer gathering. The CKC has been organizing Eid prayers on Red Road for over a century and traditionally attracts a massive congregation.

The Army's decision was conveyed to the Kolkata Police and the CKC in a letter from a Colonel-rank officer in charge of land under the Headquarters Bengal Sub Area. The letter stated that permission for conducting the congregational prayer for Eid-ul-Zuha on June 7th or 8th, 2025, could not be granted because the area was required for military purposes. The specific area denied for prayer stretched from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose statue to the Fort William East Gate outer entrance.

The CKC has voiced its opposition to the Army's decision, recalling a previous instance where a similar restriction was imposed. In that instance, the Committee challenged the restriction in High Court, which ruled that the decades-old event, known for its peaceful and disciplined conduct, should not be stopped. The Committee emphasized the historical significance and importance of the Red Road gathering. State disaster management minister Javed Ahmed Khan, who is a member of the CKC, confirmed receipt of the Army's letter and announced a meeting to discuss the next steps, including potential legal action or finding an alternative venue.

Red Road, officially known as Indira Gandhi Sarani, has been the traditional site for one of West Bengal's largest public Eid-ul-Adha prayers. The annual event is not only a religious observance but also a significant cultural event. In the past, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has attended and addressed the Eid gatherings at Red Road. The CKC traces its roots back to the Khilafat Movement of India's independence era and the annual Eid prayer on Red Road is considered a symbol of unity and communal harmony.

The Army's refusal raises questions about the future of the prayer location and the possibility of legal intervention to uphold the right to hold the event on Red Road. The Khilafat Committee is currently exploring alternatives to either relocate the event or seek judicial intervention. The situation remains unresolved, balancing security considerations with the community's assertion of the cultural and historical importance of the prayer gathering.