Fresh tension erupted in central Kolkata’s Park Circus area on Sunday as members of the Muslim community protesting the newly imposed restrictions on loudspeaker volume and roadside namaz clashed with police. The protestors blocked a part of Park Street, and when police arrived there to clear the blockade, the Muslim mob pelted stones at security personnel and clashed with them. This forced officers in riot gear to respond with a lathi charge to disperse the gathering and clear the road.
Police said that three hired police vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting, and at least three policemen have been injured in the clash. Several vehicles parked on the roadside were also damaged in the mob attack. Visuals show that the windscreens of the vehicles were smashed by stones and bricks.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Kolkata Addl ACP Ashesh Biswas says, "Some people tried to block the road. It was an illegal gathering. The police were trying to disperse them, and there was some stone pelting at them. Three of our colleagues were injured. We have taken action as Police.… https://t.co/o8kLPfDK6Q pic.twitter.com/D1sSOuVS6G
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2026
The incident took place near the Park Circus Seven Point area, where the protestors had gathered. Police had prior intimation of a protest at the area, and a large force was already deployed. But the protestors illegally blocked the road, and when police tried to clear it, the protestors started to argue with the police. The heated situation soon turned violent, as the protestors pelted stones and bricks at the police and the vehicles in the area.
Kolkata Police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Additional forces were quickly deployed at the scene and traffic was brought under control in the Park Circus Seven Point area.
Several attackers have been arrested, and situation have been brought under control. Kolkata Police conducted flag marches in Park Circus and other sensitive zones. Senior officers have been instructed to strictly enforce the new rules on public order.
The incident marks the latest flashpoint in a row that began on Friday, May 15, in the Rajabazar area during Jumma prayers. Police had moved in to enforce the state government’s directive against offering prayers on public roads and loud volume of loudspeakers, leading to scuffles, slogans of “Allahu Akbar,” and a lathi charge to clear the blocked road.
The BJP-led government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, which took power after the 2026 Assembly elections, has cracked down on roadside religious activities. BJP MLA Arjun Singh stated that namaz would no longer be allowed on streets to prevent traffic disruption. He said, “Namaz will not be allowed in the streets. Let them pray at mosques, but on the streets, it won’t be tolerated.” Similar restrictions were placed on loudspeaker volumes and public gatherings.
