Maintain law and order during Hanuman Jayanti: MHA to states, UTs

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday has issued an advisory to all the states to maintain law and order ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations during which shobha yatras are taken out. The MHA has advised the states to ensure peaceful observance of the festival and asked the administration to keep track of factors that could disturb communal harmony in society.

"MHA has issued an advisory to all states in preparation of Hanuman Jayanti. The governments are encouraged to ensure the maintenance of law and order, peaceful observance of the festival, and monitoring of any factors that could disturb communal harmony," the Home Minister's Office said in a statement.

The development comes on the heels of clashes that erupted in West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra during the Ram Navami celebrations. Incidents of violence, arson and stone pelting were reported in these two states around Ram Navami. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were also enforced in some areas of West Bengal in the wake of the clashes.


Meanwhile, a delegation of Muslim religious leaders met Union home minister Amit Shah late Tuesday night and highlighted cases of communal violence and hate speeches during Ram Navami.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani, secretary Niyaz Faruqui, and All India Muslim Personal Law Board members Kamal Faruqui and Professor Akhtarul Wasey headed the delegation. Among the key concerns flagged during the meeting were recent incidents of communal violence that took place in several states last week during Ramadan. The delegation spoke about the madrasa that was set on fire in Bihar's Nalanda.