Lagatar24 Desk
Haridwar: Facades of two mosques and a mazar along the Kanwar Yatra route in Haridwar were covered with large white cloth sheets on Friday to “prevent trouble.” However, the sheets were removed by the evening following objections from various quarters.
The cloth coverings were placed on bamboo scaffoldings in front of the religious structures located in the Jwalapur area. The mosque’s maulana and the mazar’s caretakers stated they were unaware of any administrative order regarding this action, noting that this was the first time such a measure had been taken during the yatra.
Haridwar’s senior superintendent of police and district magistrate were unavailable for comment, but Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj explained that the action was taken to maintain peace. “Any such thing is done only to prevent trouble,” Maharaj told reporters. “It is not such a big thing. We also cover buildings when they are under construction,” he added.
Following objections, including those from locals and politicians, the district administration removed the sheets. Danish Ali, appointed as a special police officer (SPO) by the administration for the yatra’s management, said, “We received orders from the railway police post to remove the curtains. That is why we have come to remove these.”
Congress leader and former minister Naeem Qureshi expressed surprise at the action. “We Muslims always welcome Shiv bhakts for the Kanwar fair and arrange refreshments for them at various places. This has been an example of harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Haridwar, and there has never been a tradition of curtains,” he said.
One of the mazar’s caretakers, Shakeel Ahmad, mentioned that no one spoke with the caretakers about covering the religious structure. “Kanwariyas stop under the shade of trees outside mosques and mazars to take rest,” Ahmad said, adding that this was the first time such a step was taken.
Congress leader and former district panchayat president Rao Afaque Ali found the administration’s decision surprising. “Some kanwariyas also go to mosques to pay obeisance. India is a country where everyone takes care of every religion and caste. Today mosques are being covered, what will happen if temples are covered in this manner tomorrow?” he asked.
Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana claimed that this action was “contempt of the Supreme Court.” He criticized the ruling BJP, saying, “The message it has missed is that the entire country is one. BJP’s divisive and discriminatory politics has been rejected. But the party is not learning.”
