Mosques Covered With White Clothes Along Kanwar Yatra Route In Haridwar, Removed After Criticism

Amid the ongoing nameplate row around the Kanwar Yatra, another controversy was sparked after large white cloths were draped over the facades of two mosques and a Mazar in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.

The cloth was draped in mosques located along the Kanwar Yatra route on Friday to “prevent trouble.” However, the clothes were taken down by evening amid widespread criticism.

The cloths were installed on bamboo scaffolding in front of the religious sites in the Jwalapur area.

Calling it an ‘unprecedented move’, several local religious leaders, including the mosque’s maulana and the Mazar’s caretakers, told PTI that they did not receive any official orders about covering the structures.

Shakeel Ahmad, a caretaker at the Mazar, said no one consulted them about the coverings and mentioned that Kanwariyas often rest under the shade of religious sites.

While Haridwar’s senior police officials and the district magistrate were unavailable for comment, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj explained that the coverings were intended to maintain peace.

“It’s just a precaution to avoid any potential issues,” he said, comparing it to covering buildings under construction.

Local authorities removed the clothes in response to objections from community members and politicians. Danish Ali, a special police officer assigned for the yatra, said they were instructed by the railway police post to take down the coverings.

The move soon turned into a political controversy with Congress leader and former minister Naeem Qureshi expressing shock noting that Muslims in Haridwar have always welcomed Kanwar devotees and this was the first time such measures were taken.

He further emphasised that there has always been harmony between Hindus and Muslims during the auspicious Kanwar yatra.

Former district panchayat president Rao Afaque Ali also criticised the decision, questioning if similar actions might be taken against temples in the future.

Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana later 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.

The leader also accused the ruling BJP of failing to learn from past electoral defeats and of pursuing divisive politics, which he said has been rejected by voters.