Security tightened in North India as Holi and Friday prayers coincide

India Today

Holi celebrations coincide with Friday prayers during Ramzan, raising security concerns in North Indian cities. Sambhal, which witnessed riots last year, sees heightened security measures.

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00:00After a 46-year hiatus, the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple in Khagusarai, Sambhal witnessed vibrant

00:05Holi celebrations on March 13. The temple, which had remained closed since the 1978 communal riots,

00:10was reopened in December 2024, marking a significant moment for the local community.

00:15Holi, the festival of colours and harmony, hit by communal divide.

00:34This year, the festivities coincide with Friday Namaz and that too during Ramzan,

00:42raising concerns about security. In Sambhal, 10 mosques, including the disputed site,

00:53have been covered. The Sambhal town in Uttar Pradesh has seen riots last year during a

01:01court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid that the Hindu side calls the Harihar Temple.

01:08The security forces conducted a flag march in Sambhal on Thursday, a day before Holi.

01:38A police officer in Sambhal had recently suggested that Muslims stay home during

01:47celebrations if they had a problem with colours, triggering a massive controversy.

02:08Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the India Today conclave

02:17backed the police officer.

02:21Some clerics however, criticise the actions of the administration.

02:51But security concerns are not restricted to Sambhal alone.

03:18A mosque in Kanpur postponed the Friday prayers to evening. Police have tightened security in

03:26cities across North India, including Lucknow, Indore, Trayagraj, Gautam Budnagar in the

03:34National Capital region and of course the National Capital Delhi. A festival that's

03:44been celebrated for centuries, a shining example of religious coexistence in India

03:51is today unfortunately under a cloud of communal tensions.

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