Lucknow: Authorities across several districts in Uttar Pradesh have stepped up security arrangements ahead of Holi, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, with administrations covering mosques along procession routes and deploying heavy police forces to ensure the festival passes peacefully.
In districts such as Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, Bijnor and Dhampur town, mosques situated along traditional Holi procession routes have been covered with large tarpaulin sheets. Officials described the move as a precautionary measure to protect religious structures from colour and gulal and to prevent any untoward incident that could disturb communal harmony.
In Shahjahanpur, around 92 mosques and shrines falling along the route of the popular “Laat Saheb” or “Juta Maar” Holi procession have been covered. Police and administrative officials said the exercise began several days in advance. Apart from religious sites, electricity transformers along the route have also been covered and plastic sheets tied around poles as part of safety measures.
In Sambhal, nearly 10 mosques, including the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, have been fully covered with tarpaulins. Two separate Holi processions are scheduled to pass in front of the mosque. Officials said the decision was taken in view of an incident in the past when splashes of colour accidentally fell on a mosque, triggering tension in the area.
Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said covering mosques during Holi has become a customary practice carried out by the Municipal Council. He said the decision was finalised during a Peace Committee meeting and was taken with the consent of mosque caretakers to maintain mutual goodwill.
In Dhampur, the district administration ordered the covering of mosques located along procession routes and deployed heavy police contingents around religious sites. Officials said special coatings were applied at some places to prevent permanent colour stains on walls.
Similar measures have been reported in Bijnor and other sensitive districts. Authorities have increased surveillance through drones and CCTV cameras, while additional police and paramilitary forces have been stationed in communally sensitive areas.
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Police say Holi processions traditionally pass through busy localities where mosques are situated. While officials maintain that the steps are preventive, some members of the Muslim community have described the covering of mosques as humiliating. They argued that instead of focusing on shielding structures, the administration should ensure strict action against potential miscreants.
The state administration has maintained that the objective is to allow people to celebrate Holi freely while ensuring that law and order is not disturbed. Peace Committee meetings have been held across districts, and officials said continuous monitoring is being carried out to ensure that the festival concludes without any communal tension.
