Mosques in many districts of UP have been covered with tarpaulins on the occasion of Holi

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) – In an unusual move, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered that mosques should be covered with tarpaulin or plastic sheets in sensitive districts, as Holi coincides with Friday namaz during Ramzan.

The order includes Sambhal, Shahjahanpur, Meerut among other parts of Uttar Pradesh, where there has been recent communal tension. Officials said the move is part of security measures aimed at avoiding untoward incidents. To this effect, district administrations have covered mosques along key routes, detained potential troublemakers, and enforced strict monitoring through barricades and CCTV cameras.

In Shahjahanpur, a town known for its unique ‘Joota Maar Holi’ tradition, authorities have also covered more than 75 mosques and shrines along the route of the procession. The tradition, dating back to the pre-independence era, involves a mock procession of a ‘Laat Sahab’ – a symbolic representation of British officers – being paraded through the streets with a garland of shoes and slippers. Participants throw footwear at the effigy to mark their defiance against colonial rule. A person who is willing to become Laat Sahab gets Rs 50,000.

Editorial Perspectives

  • Will Muslims, who are working so hard to prevent the colours of Hindu festivals from getting on the mosques, ever be able to live in brotherhood with Hindus ? Yet, this incident makes it clear how ridiculous the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood that has been being tried for the last 100 years is !
  • When Hindus participate in Muslim festivals, it is called ‘secularism’ and when Muslims oppose Hindu festivals, it is their right ! When will Hindus realize that secularists who remain silent on such things are deceiving Hindus ?