Nearly a dozen mosques were being covered with tarpaulin sheets in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal as part of so-called security measures to maintain peace during Holi festivities.
Several mosques along the traditional procession route, including the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, which Hindutva groups are targeting, are being covered with tarpaulin sheets.
The district administration claims the decision was taken in consultation with local communities to prevent any potential tension during the celebrations. “All 10 religious places that fall along the route of the Holi procession are being covered,” said ASP Shreesh Chandra.
“Lekhpals have been put on duty at different masjids in Sambhal. The district has been divided into sectors. We are fully prepared for Holi and will make sure it goes peacefully,” SDM Dr. Vandna Mishra told news agency ANI.
The security measures come against the backdrop of simmering tensions in Sambhal over the Hindutva campaign against the city’s historic Shahi Mosque. Last year, police violence against local Muslims who protested the mosque survey resulted in the killing of at least five Muslims and the arrest of dozens more.
The so-called security measures ahead of Holi are often criticized as reflecting the Hindu bias and Islamophobia of the administration by the Opposition and Muslim groups. Critics point to statements from police officers, BJP leaders and the state chief minister, who urged that Muslims should either stay indoors or skip Friday prayers on Holi if they do not want to be colored.
Earlier this week, a row erupted after senior Sambhal police officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary urged Muslims to stay indoors during Holi as it comes only once a year. The Sambhal cop’s remarks were backed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “The festival of colours comes only once a year, while Friday (for namaz) comes 52 times in one year… We have given a direct message that when people play Holi, and if they (Muslims) don’t want colours to fall on them, then they should stay at home,” Chaudhary said.
With Holi coinciding with Friday prayers, several right-wing Hindu leaders have attracted controversy with their Islamophobic remarks. On Tuesday, BJP leader Raghuraj Singh suggested that Muslim men wear hijabs made of tarpaulin to avoid inconvenience during Holi celebrations.
Eariler it was reported as SDM says that at least 1015 people were detained preventively. However, according to Sambhal police, 1015 people were neither detained nor arrested. Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar said the news of detention is not true. He said that police has only made the person sign a bond to maintain peace, people of different religions were made to sign the bond.
