In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, large white cloths were draped over the facades of two mosques and a Mazar (shrine) in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, along the route of the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. The coverings, which were intended to “prevent trouble,” were later removed amid backlash from the local community and political leaders.
The cloths were installed on bamboo scaffolding in front of the religious sites in the Jwalapur area on Friday. However, several local religious leaders described the move as an “unprecedented” action, claiming they had not received any official orders about covering the structures.
Shakeel Ahmad, a caretaker at the Mazar, stated that no one had consulted them about the coverings and mentioned that Kanwariyas (devotees) often rest under the shade of religious sites.
The move soon turned into a political controversy, with Congress leaders expressing shock and emphasizing the harmony between Hindus and Muslims during the Kanwar yatra.
Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana condemned the action as “contempt of the Supreme Court,” pointing out that the court had stayed an earlier order requiring businesses along the route to display their caste and religious identity.
Local authorities eventually removed the coverings in response to objections from community members and politicians.
