Shahjahanpur, March 11: In a bid to maintain peace and ensure the safety of religious places during the upcoming Holi celebrations, the district administration of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has taken a unique precautionary step with over 60 mosques in the region been covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of the famous ‘Joota Maar Holi,’ a colourful and chaotic event known for its exuberant processions and exuberant revelry.

The decision comes after extensive discussions with religious leaders and local authorities, aimed at preventing the mosques from being smeared with colours or, in some cases, shoes during the festivities.

Shahjahanpur is home to one of the most distinctive Holi traditions, where people engage in a playful ‘Joota Maar Holi’ during a procession that spans approximately 10 kilometres. The festivities attract thousands of participants, often leading to uncontrolled chaos, making the precautionary measures necessary.

To prevent damage to the mosques and ensure the smooth flow of the celebrations, the district administration, with the support of local religious leaders, decided to cover mosques and other religious structures with tarpaulin.

This is intended to keep them protected from the shoe hitting, colour splashes and potential disruptions associated with the event. Authorities have also planned for additional security measures, including surveillance and monitoring by police personnel in military uniforms, as well as the use of drones to keep a watchful eye on religious places during the celebrations.

While the Muslim community in Shahjahanpur has expressed their support for these protective measures, they have emphasised that the covering of mosques is in everyone’s best interest. By ensuring that no colour falls on their religious places, the atmosphere will remain undisturbed, allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities peacefully. The initiative has been broadly accepted, and religious leaders have voiced their approval after attending peace committee meetings with local officials.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh S. reassured the public, stating, “We have covered the mosques and are deploying special security around all religious structures. We are monitoring them with both videography and drone surveillance to ensure safety. The peace committee has given its approval, and the cooperation from the minority community is commendable.”

The district administration is hopeful that the celebrations will proceed without incident, maintaining the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb—the spirit of communal harmony—for which the city is known.

Moradabad, March 11: The festival of colors will be celebrated with great pomp across the country on March 14. In view of the festival, the timing of Friday prayers has been extended in Jama Masjid of Moradabad. When Holi and Jumma happen together, Namaz will be offered at 2:30 pm instead of 1 pm in the city Jama Masjid. City Imam Syed Masoom Ali Azad has appealed to Muslims to offer Friday prayers in mosques near them on Holi.

The Imam also announced to extend the time of Friday prayers. He says that the month of Ramadan is going on and during this time a large number of Namazis come to the mosques. Therefore, it has been decided to extend the time of Friday prayers.

Imam Syed Masoom Ali Azad said that on March 14 (Friday), Friday prayers will be offered at 2.30 pm in Moradabad’s Jama Masjid. He said that I appeal to the people coming from far away for namaz to offer Friday namaz in the mosques near them instead of coming to Jama Masjid. Because Holi is also celebrated on that day. People of Hindu community will play Holi on that day. So that people do not throw colors on you on the way, you should offer Friday namaz in the mosques near you.

He appealed to the Muslims to maintain peace and harmony. The month of Ramzan is a month of prayer, patience and tolerance. Be patient and tolerate, this is my appeal to you.

Hyderabad, March 11: In a tragic incident, a couple died by suicide after killing their two children, aged 10 and 15 years, allegedly due to financial problems in Hyderabad.

Police found four bodies from the couple’s house in Ravindra Nagar colony in Habsiguda under the limits of Osmania University Police Station on Monday night.

Chandrasekhar Reddy (44) and his wife Kavitha (35) are suspected to have strangled their son Vishwan Reddy (10) and daughter Shrita Reddy (15), before hanging themselves.

Shrita Reddy was a ninth class student while Vishwan Reddy was studying in fifth standard.

A police officer said they rushed to the spot on receiving a Dial 100 call. They found the bodies of the man and his wife in separate rooms. Their children were lying dead on a bed.

Police also recovered a suicide note written by Chandrasekhar Reddy. The man wrote in the note that nobody was responsible for his death and that of his family.

“I had no other option but to end my life. Please forgive me. I have been struggling in my career and suffering mentally and physically. I have been suffering from diabetes, nerve and kidney related issues,” he said in the note, written in Telugu.

Police shifted the bodies to Gandhi Hospital for autopsy and took up the investigation.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the family originally hailed from Kalwakurthy in Mahabubnagar district and had migrated to Hyderabad about a year ago.

Chandrasekhar Reddy worked as a junior lecturer in a private college for a few months. He was jobless for about six months and with no source of income, the family was facing financial hardships.

Circle Inspector N. Rajender said they registered a case of deaths under suspicious circumstances and took up the investigation.

He said the exact cause of the death of the children would be known after receiving the autopsy report.