Sambhal witnessed a cautious yet peaceful Holi celebration as authorities enforced strict security measures including police barricades, time-slot adjustments, and large tarpaulin covers over at least ten mosques to prevent colour stains. The Shahi Jama Masjid remained the focal point, with heightened police presence and a newly built outpost reflecting last year’s communal tensions following an ASI survey.
With Holi processions coinciding with Friday prayers during Ramzan, authorities ensured that Namaz timings were shifted to post-2 PM, allowing processions to pass first. Security was tight, with multiple companies of the PAC, RRF, and Rapid Action Force deployed, along with drones and a central control room monitoring CCTV footage.
While Holi celebrations thrived in Hindu-majority areas, Muslim residents largely observed from a distance, recalling past incidents of unrest. Many residents, however, emphasized the town’s history of religious coexistence and blamed external elements for tensions. Despite a few moments of heightened emotions outside Jama Masjid, the day concluded without clashes, with police formations ensuring stability. Officials hailed the event as a success, crediting careful planning for maintaining peace in a historically sensitive region.
