Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has declared that no procession shall be allowed on the occasion of Muharram in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Uttar Pradesh Directorate General of Police (DGP) Mukul Goel has issued guidelines declaring that people will not be permitted to gather and conduct mourning processions in the state.
He has instructed the police officials across all districts to take clerics, peace committees and other community leaders into confidence while ensuring that Covid-19 norms are not flouted.
Besides, the police personnel have also instructed to maintain a strict vigil across Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the areas where disputes have been reported in the past.
The DGP has also ordered the deployment of adequate amount of police personnel in the sensitive areas.
Asserting that displays of any kind of weapon during Muharram will not be allowed, the DGP has instructed the police officials to take preventive action against anti-social elements and keep a watchful eye on social media.
After the Uttar Pradesh Police issued guidelines for Muharram processions, Shia clerics have raised an alarm over the kind of language used in the notification.
The All India Shia Personal Law Board has convened a meeting on Monday evening to discuss the issue and will decide their future course of action. Shia clerics are claiming that the UP Police have used objectionable language in the guidelines issued for Muharram.
Maulana Kalbe Noorie, said: “The guidelines are unacceptable as it shows the peace-loving Shias in poor light.”
“The language is condemnable. We have asked Muharram committees to boycott meetings convened by the police and administration,” he said.
The main objection of the cleric to the guidelines is that Muharram has been repeatedly referred to as a ‘festival’ in the circular.
“The DGP should know that Muharram is certainly not a ‘festival’ but a period of mourning. The guidelines show the insensitivity of the state government towards the Muslim community,” Maulana Yasoob Abbas told IANS.
He further said, “The guidelines say that ‘Tabarra is read on behalf of the Shia community. It said that some anti-social elements write this on the backs of animals and fly kites by writing such things which are objectionable to the Sunni community. This is a deliberate attempt to create a divide between Shia and Sunni communities.”
The Shia clerics have appealed to all the Ulama and organisations to boycott the peace meetings at the district and city level if the guidelines are not withdrawn.