BJP MP Dinesh Sharma welcomed the Allahabad High Court order granting permission to whitewash Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, and said that it was neither the policy of Centre nor the state government to insult any religious place.
Sambhal Police said that security forces were on duty for long hours on March 13 and 14 to maintain law and order, working shifts of 14 to 16 hours to ensure that the festival passed without incident.
"The whitewashing work has begun. Around 9-10 people are working. More people may be put to work if needed... We will try to complete the task as per the court orders... There are 9-10 people assigned by the ASI. Another 10-20 people may be called... The task has been undertaken by the ASI;
Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal is being covered with a tarpaulin sheet on Wednesday ahead of the Holi festival as per the decision of the local administration.
Authorities have ramped up security measures ahead of Holi celebrations, with extensive arrangements in place to ensure the peaceful conduct of festivals.
The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested 50 people in connection with the violence near the Jama Masjid area in Sambhal district on November 24, officials said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday condemned the attacks on places of worship, including in Bangladesh, and said that there is a conspiracy to make "hell on earth," by anyone who tries to desecrate Sanatan dharma's religious places.
Devotees on Monday painted 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadeva' slogans on the walls of the newly discovered Shiv-Hanuman temple, just two days after it was uncovered in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district.
Sub-divisional officer Santosh Tripathi (SDO) said that the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department and police demolished illegal encroachments in Sambhal.