Bijnor: In India’s Uttar Pradesh state, several mosques in Bijnor district have been covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of the Hindu festival of Holi, drawing sharp reactions from members of the Muslim community who see the move as discriminatory and reflective of growing communal polarisation under the BJP regime.
According to Global Mirror, the district administration ordered the covering of mosques falling along the route of Holi processions in Dhampur town and deployed heavy police contingents around religious sites. Officials claimed the measure was “precautionary” to prevent colour or gulal from being thrown at mosques and to avoid communal tension. Similar actions were taken in Saharanpur and Sambhal in previous years.
Local reports said Holi processions traditionally pass through busy localities, including areas where mosques are situated. Instead of ensuring accountability for miscreants, authorities opted to physically shield the mosques with plastic sheets, a step many Muslims described as humiliating. Residents said that rather than addressing potential offenders, the administration appeared to normalise the possibility of desecration of Muslim places of worship.
According to Global Mirror, the district administration ordered the covering of mosques falling along the route of Holi processions in Dhampur town and deployed heavy police contingents around religious sites. Officials claimed the measure was “precautionary” to prevent colour or gulal from being thrown at mosques and to avoid communal tension. Similar actions were taken in Saharanpur and Sambhal in previous years.
Local reports said Holi processions traditionally pass through busy localities, including areas where mosques are situated. Instead of ensuring accountability for miscreants, authorities opted to physically shield the mosques with plastic sheets, a step many Muslims described as humiliating. Residents said that rather than addressing potential offenders, the administration appeared to normalise the possibility of desecration of Muslim places of worship.