Yogi Adityanath's Order On Religious Processions After Clashes In States

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a law-and-order review meeting last night, issuing a set of directions that assume significance considering the recent clashes in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area.

In a statement, the government said the directions were being issued as the festivals of Eid and Akshay Tritiya are likely to fall on the same date early next month.

It said that no religious procession or marches will be allowed without proper permission. All organisers will be required to submit an affidavit promising to maintain peace and harmony before permission is given, the statement added. Only those religious traditional festivities will be allowed and new events will not be given permission, a tweet from his official account said.

No permission will be given for Microphones at any new locations, those already using loudspeakers can do it only after ensuring the volume does not disturb anyone, the statement said. Religious programmes can happen only at designated spots and road routes and traffic will not be blocked, it added.

The state government had on Monday cancelled the leaves of all police and administrative officials in the state till May 4 and asked all those on leave to report within 24 hours, news agency PTI reported.

Yogi Adityanath directed the officials from the police station to the Additional Director General (ADG) level to hold dialogues with religious leaders and eminent personalities within the next 24 hours to ensure peace during the upcoming festivals and said mikes can be used at religious places but no new permission of their installation should be given.

"The leave of all administrative/police officers, from SHO, CO and district police chiefs to the district magistrate, the divisional commissioner is cancelled till May 4 with immediate effect. Those who are currently on leave must return to the place of posting within the next 24 hours. This arrangement should be ensured by the Chief Minister's Office," Yogi Adityanath said.

"Additional police forces should be deployed in sensitive areas and drones used for keeping an eye on the situation. Every evening, the police force must do foot patrolling and police response vehicles (PRVs) should remain active," he said while holding a law and order review meeting with senior officials.

"There are many important religious festivals in the coming days. The month of Ramadan is going on. Eid festival and Akshaya Tritiya are likely to be on the same day. In such a situation, considering the current environment, the police will have to be extra sensitive," he said.

Stating that everyone has the freedom to follow his method of worship according to his religious ideology, the Chief Minister noted, "Although mikes can be used, make sure the sound does not come out of the premises. Other people should not have any problem." He added that no permission should be given to install the mikes at new sites.

Yogi Adityanath added that the safety of every single citizen in Uttar Pradesh is the primary responsibility of the government and the people.

"All of us have to be alert and careful about this responsibility of ours," he added.

All necessary efforts should be made keeping in view the local needs so that every festival is held in peace and harmony, he said and called for stern action against those issuing mischievous statements.  

"Those trying to vitiate the atmosphere should be dealt with strictly.  There should be no place for such people in a civilised society," he said.

Religious programmes and worship should be held at the designated place only and it should be ensured that no religious event takes place by disrupting traffic, he said. "If they (officials) have government accommodation, they should stay there or take one on rent, but they have to stay in their posting place at night. It should be strictly followed," he said.