Kolkata, May 17 -- Maulana Mohammad Shafique Qasmi, the Chief Imam of Kolkata's historic Nakhoda Masjid, welcomed the state government's order banning namaz on roads without special administrative permission, saying public thoroughfares should remain free for commuters and vehicles.

"Roads are meant for vehicles to move and for pedestrians to walk," Qasmi told PTI in an interview.

The Imam also urged the Muslim community to utilise existing religious infrastructure for their daily spiritual obligations rather than occupying public pathways.

The situation escalated after police personnel arrived to clear the road and faced resistance from sections of the gathering.

Protesters argued that roadside namaz had been a long-standing traditio...