Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, presided over a law-and-order review meeting yesterday night, delivering a series of directives that are significant in light of recent violence in Delhi's Jahangirpuri neighbourhood.
The ministry stated in a statement that the directives were made because the Eid and Akshay Tritiya celebrations are expected to fall on the same day early next month.
It said that no religious procession or march will be permitted unless prior permission is obtained. Before authorization is granted, all organisers will be forced to file an affidavit committing to maintain peace and unity, according to the statement. New events will not be permitted, according to a tweet from his official account. Only religious customary rituals will be permitted.
Microphones will not be allowed in any new sites, and those who are already utilising loudspeakers can do so only if the level does not disrupt others, according to the statement. Religious events can only take place in approved areas, and road routes and traffic will not be disrupted, according to the statement.
According to news agency PTI, the state administration on Monday cancelled all police and administrative leave in the state until May 4 and directed all personnel on leave to report within 24 hours.
Yogi Adityanath directed officials from the police station to the level of Additional Director General (ADG) to hold dialogues with religious leaders and eminent personalities within the next 24 hours to ensure peace during the upcoming festivals, and said that while microphones can be used at religious sites, no new permission for their installation should be given.
"All administrative/police officers' leave, from the SHO, CO, and district police heads to the district magistrate and divisional commissioner, has been cancelled with immediate effect till May 4. Those who are currently on leave must return to their duty station within 24 hours. The Chief Minister's Office should be in charge of this arrangement "Yogi Adityanath was quoted as saying.
"Drones should be utilised to keep an eye on the situation and additional police personnel should be deployed in vulnerable regions. The police force must conduct foot patrols every evening, and police reaction vehicles (PRVs) must remain operational "During a law and order review meeting with senior officials, he added.
"In the next days, there will be a number of significant religious celebrations. Ramadan is now underway. The Eid and Akshaya Tritiya festivals are expected to fall on the same day. Given the current context, the police will have to be extra cautious in such a case "he stated
The Chief Minister stated that everyone has the freedom to worship in his or her own way, according to his or her religious ideology "Even if microphones are used, make sure the sound does not escape the premises. Others shouldn't have any difficulties." He further stated that no clearance should be granted for the microphones to be installed at new locations.
Yogi Adityanath went on to say that the administration and the people of Uttar Pradesh share primary responsibility for the protection of every single citizen.
"We all have to be vigilant and cautious about this obligation," he stressed.
He said that all required measures should be done while taking in mind local demands to ensure that every celebration is held in peace and unity, and that those who make defamatory statements should be dealt with harshly.
"Those who attempt to pollute the environment should be dealt with harshly. Such people should have no place in a civilised society, "he stated
Religious programmes and worship should take place only at approved locations, he said, and it should be verified that no religious event disrupts traffic. "If they (officials) have government housing, they should stay there or rent one, but they must spend the night at their posting location. It must be rigorously adhered to "he stated