Uttar Pradesh mosques under tarpaulin ahead of Holi

Lucknow: Security arrangements were tightened and an alert was sounded in Uttar Pradesh with mosques covered with tarpaulin sheets as a precaution to prevent trouble during Holi even as a state minister asked those who “loved” sword and “disliked” culture, to leave the country.

Since “Juma” (Friday) prayers will also be offered on the day of Holi, the police have been directed to be on alert, especially in sensitive towns. The timings of the Juma prayers have been changed at many places.

According to reports, mosques in cities including Aligarh, Sambhal, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur were covered with tarpaulin sheets to prevent them from being smeared in colours on Holi day by revellers as it might trigger communal tension.

Tight security arrangements would remain in place in sensitive districts on Holi day and security personnel in strength would be deployed along routes where Holi processions are taken, sources said.

“All the mosques, which are on the routes of the processions, have been covered with tarpaulin.....security personnel will accompany the processions,” said a senior police official on Thursday.

The timings of the special Friday prayers were changed at many places in view of the Holi festival. In Sambhal, the Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee said that the Friday prayer would be held at 2.30 in the afternoon.

Meanwhile UP minister and president of the Nishad Party, an alliance partner of the BJP, Sanjay Nishad said on Thursday that those who “hated” colours, should remain indoors on Holi.

“Those, who like swords and dislike culture, should leave the country and go elsewhere.....only those who hate colours, should remain indoors,” Nishad said.

Nishad's remarks came a day after another UP minister Raghuveer Singh's "suggestion" that Muslims should cover themselves with "tarpaulins" if they wanted to avoid colours during Holi.