Shahjahanpur (UP), February 23 (UP) Authorities have covered mosques and shrines along the routes of the traditional 'Juta Maar Holi' procession in Shahjahanpur with tarpaulin sheets, and announced enhanced security for the annual event.
'Juta Maar Holi' is a unique, centuries-old tradition celebrated in Shahjahanpur on Holi, where people hurl shoes and sandals at a person dressed as a British-era 'Laat Sahab' riding a buffalo cart, while playing with colors.
Last year, shoes, slippers, and bottles were thrown at police personnel during the 'Laat Sahab' procession, forcing a mild lathi charge.
Although Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said that security will be beefed up for this year's annual procession, locals see last year's mild police action as an aberration and rule out any problems this time.
They cite the support of both Hindus and Muslims who greet the procession with a flower shower as proof of their belief in communal amity, even delaying their prayers to allow easy passage for the procession.
"Inshallah, this time the procession will be held in a joyful atmosphere," said Samajwadi Party's district president Tanveer Khan as he emphasized the "centuries-old tradition".
Congress City President Taqweem Hasan Khan said that the administration covers mosques and shrines ahead of the procession, and that Muslims have even delayed their prayers when Holi coincides with Friday.
Highlighting that Holi is celebrated here in a very harmonious manner, social worker and physician Namita Singh said, "The women on our team also participate enthusiastically and shower flowers on the 'Laat Sahab' procession that takes place through the city."
Another social worker, Imran Khan, said that in this city of martyrs, Hindus and Muslims celebrate the festival with great love. Last year, the Muslim community even showered flowers on the procession at several locations.
Officials said that the 'Laat Sahab' procession is part of the curriculum for candidates selected in the Indian Administrative Services. How to administer and manage the procession is taught to the newly inducted officers.
During his city tour, 'Laat Sahab' reaches the city police station, where he is saluted.
'Laat Sahab' asks the police station in-charge for the year's crime records; to avoid this, the officer gives him a gift.
Regarding covering mosques, locals said it is an old tradition done as a precaution to prevent any untoward incident.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said that this year's procession will see around one-and-a-half times more security personnel than the previous one, along with the deployment of over 200 magistrates.
Four Additional Superintendents of Police, 13 Circle Officers, 310 Sub-Inspectors, 1,200 Constables and 500 Home Guards will be deployed, the SSP said.
In addition, four companies, each of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force, along with a team of the National Disaster Response Force, will be stationed during the procession, he added.
Over 100 solar-powered CCTV cameras have been installed along the eight-kilometre route of the 'Bade Laat Sahab' and 'Chhote Laat Sahab' processions to ensure uninterrupted surveillance.
In view of the minor incidents reported last year during the procession, an additional zone has been created this time, he said, adding that for the past month, peace committee meetings involving members of all communities have been held at police stations and outposts.
While urging people to celebrate the festival peacefully, Dwivedi ensured strict action against those disrupting the procession.
Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Rajneesh Kumar Mishra said, 48 mosques and mazars along the route have been completely covered with thick plastic sheets.
To prevent the sudden crowd surges, over 148 lanes opening onto the procession route will be barricaded.
The administration has divided the procession into seven zones with sector and sub-sector arrangements. A total of 136 zonal, sector and static magistrates will supervise proceedings in their respective areas, he said.
Mishra added that 103 magistrates will also be deployed at Holika Dahan sites to oversee rituals from lighting the pyre to the conclusion of ceremonies.
Preventive action, including externment of identified individuals and the opening of history sheets, has also been undertaken in view of the event.
According to historian Dr Vikas Khurana of Swami Sukdevanand College, the procession traces its origins to the 18th century when Nawab Abdullaha Khan became angry with his family and went to Farukhabad.
The day he returned to Shahjahanpur in 1728 coincided with Holi celebrations, when Hindus and Muslims jointly marked the festival with a city-wide procession.
According to Khurana, the British administration later institutionalised the procession after regaining control of Shahjahanpur in 1859.
The event continued peacefully for decades after Independence, and in 1988, it was renamed from "Nawab Sahab" to "Laat Sahab" by the then district magistrate Kapil Dev.
The procession begins with prayers at the Phoolmati Devi temple and then proceeds through the city.
He added that a petition filed in the High Court in 1990 seeking a ban on the procession was dismissed, with the court treating it as a long-standing tradition.