Mosques covered Holi processions have sparked a heated buzz across Uttar Pradesh today. With Holi landing on Friday—overlapping with Ramadan’s Jumma prayers—districts like Sambhal, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, and Aligarh took a bold step. Over 189 mosques got draped in tarpaulin sheets. The goal?
Keep colors and chaos from splashing sacred spaces. It’s a rare clash—Holi and Jumma haven’t synced like this in 60 years. Authorities say it’s about peace. Critics call it overreach. The move’s got everyone talking.
The plan kicked off days ago. In Sambhal, 10 mosques, including the Shahi Jama Masjid, got covered. Why? A massive “Chaupai” procession rolls through tomorrow. Shahjahanpur went bigger—67 mosques wrapped up for its wild “Joota Maar Holi.” That’s where folks hurl shoes at a “Laat Sahab” dummy, a 300-year-old jab at British rule. Bareilly shielded 109 mosques for its Ram Baraat march.
Aligarh added three more to the list. Tarps went up fast—some as early as Wednesday. Clerics shifted Friday prayers to 2:30 p.m., dodging the Holi peak. UP Police deployed 3,500 personnel, drones, and CCTV. They’re not messing around.
Mosques Covered Holi: Why the Tarps?
Mosques covered Holi isn’t new—but this scale is. UP’s got a history of communal friction. Sambhal’s still raw from last November’s mosque survey riots—five died. Shahjahanpur’s shoe-throwing tradition risks stray tosses. “It’s precaution,” Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra told NDTV. “Both communities agreed.” Stats back the tension—UP saw 87 communal incidents in 2024, per state data.
Holi’s messy joy can ignite sparks. Dr. Faizan Ahmed, a Lucknow sociologist, told me, “Language and festivals here are tinderboxes. Covering mosques avoids a match.” The tarps shield prayer spaces from colors—and trouble.
But not everyone’s onboard. Maulana Sajid Rashidi, All India Imam Association head, slammed it. “It’s unconstitutional,” he said. “A plot to weaken Muslims.” He claims it emboldens rowdies. SP MLA Abu Azmi took a softer line. “Don’t politicize it,” he urged. “If colors splash, forgive—it’s Ramadan.” X posts show the split. “Smart move for harmony,” one user wrote. Another raged, “Caging mosques? Shameful.” The mosques covered Holi debate’s splitting hairs—and communities
Mosques Covered Holi: What’s Happening Now?
Mosques covered Holi has UP on edge today. Processions kick off soon. In Sambhal, 1,015 people got detained preemptively.
Shahjahanpur’s got 225 magistrates watching. Bareilly’s Ram Baraat route’s barricaded tight. DGP Prashant Kumar’s 20-point directive rules the day—flag marches, paramilitary backups, the works. Zafar Ali, Sambhal Jama Masjid chief, backed the tarps. “It’s positive,” he said. “Let both sides celebrate.”
But BJP leaders stirred the pot. CM Yogi Adityanath nodded to a cop’s “stay home” advice for Muslims. Another MLA suggested “tarpaulin hijabs.” Critics pounced—called it divisive.
The stakes are high. Holi’s a riot of gulal and glee. Ramadan’s sacred—Friday prayers especially. Last year, Bareilly had a Holi clash—two injured.
This time, police want zero repeats. X’s trending #Holi2025—some cheer the prep, others smell bias. Dr. Ahmed added, “It’s practical but signals mistrust.
Dialogue’s better.” Data’s stark—UP’s 19% Muslim population navigates a Hindu-majority state. Harmony’s fragile here.
What’s Next?
Mosques covered Holi sets a tense stage. Will it work? Processions roll out in hours. Aftershocks could linger—politically and socially. The tarps might stop colors but not chatter. Opposition’s crying foul—Tejashwi Yadav hit Nitish Kumar’s silence.
BJP’s doubling down—“law and order first.” Check The Indian Express or Hindustan Times for live updates. This isn’t just Holi—it’s a test of UP’s tightrope walk. Everyone’s watching.