The Shahi Jama Masjid and several other mosques in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh have been covered with plastic sheets and tarpaulins ahead of the Holi celebrations on March 14.
The move comes amid a row after a Police officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary advised Muslims to stay indoors during the Holi as it comes only once a year.
In view of the Holi procession route, the Sambhal authorities have ordered the Sambhal Jama Masjid and ten other mosques in the district to be covered.
This year the Holi coincides with the Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. The UP Police said that the decision has been taken to ensure smooth proceedings.
Speaking on the issue, Sambhal SP Shrish Chandra said that the decision was taken to maintain communal harmony and facilitate the two communities in celebrating their respective festivals.
"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," the Sambhal SP 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.
Last year, on November 24, violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid, leading to four deaths and several injuries. The survey was initiated following claims that the mosque was built on the remains of a Hindu temple allegedly demolished during the Mughal era.
Earlier this week, senior Sambhal cop Anuj Kumar Chaudhary had triggered a political row after he ordered Muslims to stay indoors during Holi as it comes only once a year.
"The festival of colours comes only once a year, while Friday (for namaz) comes 52 times in one year... We have given a direct message that when people play Holi, and if they (Muslims) don't want colours to fall on them, then they should stay at home," Chaudhary had said. Later, CM Yogi had supported Chaudhary's remarks during an event.
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.
Meanwhile, similar such measures have been taken in Shahjahanpur where around 67 mosques have been covered with tarpaulin to ensure that no one throws colors on them.
In Shahjahanpur, the people observe a unique tradition of "Joote Maar Holi" (shoe-hitting Holi), where a procession of nearly 10 kilometers long is taken out during the festivities.