Thu Mar 13 16:39:13 UTC 2025: ## UP Police on High Alert for Holi-Ramadan Confluence
**Lucknow, March 13, 2025** – Uttar Pradesh police are on high alert as the Holi festival coincides with Friday prayers during Ramadan. Precautionary measures are in place across the state, particularly in sensitive districts.
In at least five districts (Sambhal, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Bijnor, and Aligarh), mosques have been covered with tarpaulin to protect them from Holi colors. Shahjanhpur saw over 500 police personnel deployed for a flag march, while Bareilly’s senior police officials conducted similar marches. Meerut also saw increased police presence in sensitive areas. Lucknow deployed large numbers of police and utilized drone surveillance.
To ensure peace and harmony, prominent Muslim clerics have rescheduled Friday prayers to after 2 p.m. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath previously emphasized maintaining peace and instructed officials to enforce permanent noise control measures for loudspeakers at religious places and prohibit high-volume DJs. The heightened security measures aim to prevent any untoward incidents during the overlapping celebrations.
First Piper 