In Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, authorities on Sunday began covering 72 mosques and mazars along the route of the traditional “Joota Maar Holi” procession with tarpaulin sheets, Municipal Commissioner Vipin Mishra told IANS. The move comes as a precaution, amid concerns over potential communal tensions during festival processions.
Holi celebrations in Shahjahanpur are marked by the “Laat Saheb” procession, where participants throw footwear at a man impersonating a British officer seated on a bullock cart. The procession starts with prayers at the Phoolmati Devi temple before moving through the city, PTI reported. This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 4.
“Shahjahanpur’s small and large Laat Saheb processions are an integral part of the city’s historic tradition,” Mishra said. “Covering religious sites is a purely precautionary step.”
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi told PTI that security will be significantly strengthened. Four additional superintendents of police, 13 circle officers, 310 sub-inspectors, 1,200 constables, and 500 home guards will be deployed along the route—about one and a half times the personnel deployed last year. Forces from the Provincial Armed Constabulary, Rapid Action Force, and National Disaster Response Force will also be stationed in the area.
To prevent sudden crowd surges, 148 lanes opening onto the procession route will be barricaded. Dwivedi urged residents to celebrate Holi peacefully and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone disrupting the festival. He added that peace committee meetings involving members of various religious communities have been held ahead of the celebrations.