Social media users question why authorities permit some gatherings on public roads while restricting others
MUMBAI — A yoga programme organised outside a mosque here ahead of International Yoga Day has triggered a debate on social media, with many users questioning the differing treatment of public gatherings held on roads.
The programme was organised by the BJP Minority Morcha in front of Minara Masjid on Saturday, ahead of the International Yoga Day. Videos from the event were widely shared on social media and showed several members of the Muslim community, including men wearing traditional caps, taking part in yoga exercises.
While supporters described the programme as an effort to promote health and fitness, the event soon became the centre of an online debate over the use of public roads for religious and community activities.
Many social media users compared the yoga programme with restrictions that have been imposed in several places on offering prayers on public roads. They questioned why road space could be used for a yoga event while authorities often act against people offering prayers in public areas.
One social media user wrote, “If roads can be used for yoga programmes, why are people stopped from offering prayers on the same roads?”
Another user said, “The administration should apply the same rules to everyone. If road occupation is the issue, then the standard should be identical for all activities.”
Several users argued that authorities have taken strict action in recent years against prayers being offered on roads, particularly during Friday congregations and Eid prayers. They questioned whether public inconvenience is assessed in the same manner for all gatherings.
“The question is not about yoga or prayer,” another social media user commented. “The question is whether the rules are being applied equally.”
The debate also brought attention to the issue of space at places of worship. Some users pointed out that large congregational prayers sometimes attract more worshippers than a mosque can accommodate, leading some people to pray in nearby open areas. They argued that such gatherings are generally short and are completed within a few minutes.
Others maintained that public roads should remain free for traffic and that authorities must regulate all activities that could affect movement, regardless of the religion or organisation involved.
The discussion expanded beyond the yoga event itself, with some users alleging that religious activities linked to different communities are treated differently by local administrations. They called for clear and uniform guidelines governing the use of public spaces.
At the same time, supporters of the yoga programme said the event was organised to mark International Yoga Day and encourage healthy living. They noted that members of different communities had participated together and described the gathering as a positive social initiative.
The viral videos continued to attract strong reactions online throughout the day, reflecting wider public discussions about religious freedom, equal treatment under the law, and the management of public spaces.
As the debate continues, many social media users are calling for authorities to clarify the rules governing public gatherings on roads and to ensure that those rules are applied fairly and consistently to all communities and organisations.
