The facades of two mosques and a mazar en route the path taken by Kanwariyas were covered briefly with large white sheets on Friday. The cloth sheets were taken down later following objections from various quarters.
Bamboo scaffoldings were erected to hang white cloth sheets in front of two mosques and a mazar in the Jawalpur area. However, maulana of the mosque and mazar’s caretakers said they were not aware of any directions in this regard and it was the first time such a step had been taken during the yatra.
Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj told reporters that such a measure was taken to maintain peace, to “prevent trouble”. “Any such thing is done only to prevent trouble. It is not such a big thing. We also cover buildings when they are under construction," he said.
Though the Haridwar senior superintendent of police and district magistrate were not available for comment, PTI reported. However, the sheets were removed later following objections from various quarters and from local politicians.
"We received orders from the railway police post to remove the curtains. That is why we have come to remove these," PTI reported quoting Danish Ali, appointed as a special police officer (SPO) by the administration for the yatra's management.
Congress leader and former minister Naeem Qureshi told PTI that he has never seen such a thing in his life. "We Muslims always welcome Shiv bhakts (devotees) for the Kanwar fair and arrange refreshments for them at various places. This has been an example of harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Haridwar, and there has never been a tradition of curtains," he said.
The Supreme Court on Friday extended the interim stay it imposed on orders by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments directing eateries to display nameplates.
