Sambhal, March 12: In a significant move, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) administration has decided to cover ten mosques in Sambhal during Holi celebrations on Friday. March 14 marks a rare sixty-year coincidence of the festival of colours and a Ramazan ‘Jumma’ falling together on the same day.

Briefing the media over the UP administration’s preparedness, Sambhal SP, Shrish Chandra, said that the decision was taken to maintain communal harmony and facilitate the two communities in celebrating their respective festivals with full glee and gaiety.

“A total of ten mosques have been identified which fall in the proposed route of the ‘Chaupai’ procession. All of them will be covered to prevent any disturbance or tension between the two communities,” he said.

He said that the decision has been taken to cover those mosques, from where the ‘Chaupai’ processions (a customary practice during Holi) will cross through and also added that this has been a practice for years.

“The conventional route of the ‘Chaupai’ procession during Holi has been identified and ten mosques along the route will be covered,” he said.

According to reports, an agreement has also been reached to alter the timings of the Friday prayers and ‘Chaupai’ processions, so that the two don’t overlap each other.

The Friday ‘namaaz (prayers)’ will take place either before or after the Holi procession. Also, outsiders won’t have permission to enter mosque premises.

Local authorities and UP Police officials have been given instructions to maintain strict vigil and prevent any untoward incidents from unfolding on the day of the festival.

The ten mosques which will be covered with tarpaulin in Sambhal during Holi celebrations, include the Shahi Jama Masjid, Ladania wali masjid, Thaane wali masjid, Ek raat masjid, Gurdwara road masjid, Gol masjid, Khajoor wali masjid, Anaar wali masjid and Gol dukaan wali masjid.

A peace meeting was also organised at the Sambhal police station, where the religious heads of the two communities discussed and deliberated on ways to prevent any incident of communal strife, during Holi celebrations and the Friday ‘namaaz’.

Patna, March 12: Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara has sparked controversy by requesting a two-hour pause in Holi celebrations on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., citing respect for Jumme ki Namaz (Friday prayers).

“The celebration of Holi can be adjusted, but the time for Friday prayers cannot be changed,” Ara said, urging a break in Holi festivities near mosques and prayer sites.

She emphasised that Holi and Ramzan have coexisted peacefully in the past.

Ara made the statement during a peace committee meeting organised by the Darbhanga district administration on Tuesday evening ahead of Holi and Friday prayers. After the meeting, she reiterated her stance publicly, triggering a political backlash.

Janata Dal-United (JDU) MLC Neeraj Kumar strongly criticised Ara, stating that public representatives should direct suggestions to the appropriate authorities rather than the media. “Law and order is the responsibility of the civil and police administration, not politicians who are giving statements in media. Anyone who disturbs peace will face consequences,” Kumar asserted.

Darbhanga MP Gopal Jee Thakur condemned Ara’s remarks, saying, “Do not provoke the sentiments of Sanatanis while holding a constitutional post. The land of Mithila is known for peace and harmony, and people here celebrate Holi with mutual brotherhood.”

However, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Mohammad Anzar Naimi and JDU Minister Shrawan Kumar both distanced themselves from Ara’s remarks. “If she made any provocative statement, it should be stopped,” Naimi said.

Shrawan Kumar added, “Holi and Ramzan have coincided peacefully in the past, and such statements are unnecessary.”

The local administration has not issued any official directive on the matter.

Following the backlash, Anjum Ara expressed regret over her statement. “Since morning, people have been calling me a Bangladeshi and a traitor. I urge the media to investigate me thoroughly, and if any wrongdoing is found, take strict action,” she said.

She accused the BJP of targeting her, adding, “My only intention was to ensure that all festivals are celebrated peacefully in Darbhanga.”

Kolkata, March 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, made a highly sensitive statement on the floor of the Assembly when she claimed that the Ramzan month is being chosen deliberately by some people to hurt the Muslims.

“Ramzan month is being deliberately chosen by some to hurt the Muslims. But people from minority communities should be rest assured. The unity of all religions will prevail,” the Chief Minister said while addressing the House on the third day of the second round of Budget session of the Assembly here on Wednesday noon.

Tension prevailed on the floor of the House since Chief Minister Banerjee made an entry there, with Trinamool Congress legislators protesting against some “reportedly offensive” comments made by the Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, about the minority MLAs of the ruling Trinamool Congress while speaking to the mediapersons at the Assembly gate on Tuesday.

Even when the Chief Minister started speaking, her speech was disrupted by a heated and loud exchange of statements between the Trinamool Congress and BJP legislators.

At a time, Chief Minister Banerjee was heard accusing the BJP legislators of playing communal cards in politics.

“Humanity is the biggest lesson of religion. But you people always play the communal card in politics. Please do not exploit religion for narrow political gains. I am myself a Hindu. I do not need a certificate from you for that,” she said.

She also accused the BJP of insulting the tradition of Bengal.

“Please do not insult Bengal. Please do not try to divide Bengal in the name of religion. Why don’t you have Muslim candidates in elections? Almost 79 per cent of my party’s candidates in any election are Hindus. We also have an adequate number of women candidates. The crow is trying to pose as a peacock now,” the Chief Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched a scathing attack against the Leader of Opposition but without directly naming the latter.

“It is better to ignore him (LoP Suvendu Adhikari). He joined Trinamool Congress realising that he had no future in Congress. After that he joined the BJP after creating confusion within Trinamool Congress. Very soon he will get joining request from any other party,” CM Banerjee said.

During his turn to speak, the Chief Whip of BJP’s Legislative Party in the Assembly, Shankar Ghosh, said that the Chief Minister chose to remain silent when many of her heavyweight Muslim Cabinet members attacked the Hindus regularly.

“No action is taken against such Ministers,” Ghosh said.

Later, the BJP legislators staged a walkout and sat in a sit-in protest at the gate of the Assembly led by the Leader of Opposition.