Mosques were covered with tarpaulin ahead of a Hindu festival in India.

Ten masjids were enclosed with large white covering sheets a day before the Holi festival to maintain communal harmony between Muslims and Hindus during the celebrations in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, March 12.

The mosques involved include the Shahi Jama Masjid, Ladania Wali Masjid, Thaane Wali Masjid, Ek Raat Masjid, Gurdwara Road Masjid, Gol Masjid, Khajoor Wali Masjid, Anaar Wali Masjid, and Gol Dukaan Wali Masjid.

Meanwhile, 67 mosques have been covered in Shahjahanpur district.

In Bareilly, 109 mosques were draped with tarpaulin as the Ram Barat procession took place on Thursday under tight security.

Millions of Hindus are set to partake in the celebrations by throwing coloured powder at each other to mark the end of winter, the triumph of good over evil, and the divine love between the deities Radha and Krishna on March 13.

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, has coincided with the Hindu festival this year, raising concerns among locals over potential communal tensions.

Government leaders and officials from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who suggested that Muslims should stay home if they were bothered by the colours, have sparked outrage among the Muslim community.

Some officials have proposed covering Islamic places of worship with special tarpaulins. To prevent confrontations, prominent Islamic leaders in the northern state plan to move Friday prayers to 2 pm.

Sambhal Police Superintendent Shrish Chandra said: 'The decision was made to maintain communal harmony and ensure that both communities can celebrate their respective holidays with joy and cheerfulness.'

Fr Anand Mathew, a member of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS) in Varanasi, explained that the local Muslim community lives 'literally in fear.'

'In Varanasi, there have been a few physical attacks on the Muslim community. Fourteen Muslim youths have been arrested and are in jail, with some minors placed in juvenile homes. All this is based on false allegations. Hindu organisations and the police seem to be in collusion, playing the communal card,' he said.

Hindu-Muslim violence in India stems from historical, political, and social tensions, with key events like the Partition of 1947, the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, and the Gujarat riots in 2002 shaping communal relations. In 2024, these conflicts remain significant as religious nationalism, political rhetoric, and policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) continue to fuel divisions, impacting social harmony, minority rights, and India's secular fabric.