Eid prayers held amid tight security in Sambhal, flowers showered on mosque-goers
Sambhal (PTI): People heading to the Shahi Eidgah in Sambhal were welcomed with a shower of flowers on Monday, as members of the Muslim community extended a gesture of unity and brotherhood.
Social worker Saeed Akhtar Israeli and his team led the flower shower, not only on the mosque-goers but also police and administration personnel stationed in the area.
"This initiative was taken to promote unity and communal harmony," Israeli told reporters.
"Just as we distributed gulaal and water guns during Holi to foster brotherhood, today we showered flowers on those celebrating Eid and officials. Our country embodies the Ganga-Jamuni culture where people of all faiths celebrate festivals together. We prayed for peace, prosperity and relief from unemployment and inflation in the country," he added.
The occasion was marked by heavy security, with Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi confirming that prayers were conducted peacefully at more than 100 mosques and eidgahs by 10:30 am.
"We had deployed 10 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Drones and volunteers were also stationed to ensure smooth proceedings. The people returned home safely after the prayers," he said.
Vishnoi added special arrangements were also in place for the ongoing Navratri celebrations.
Samajwadi Party leader and Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, however, slammed the ban on street prayers and also vowed to strongly oppose the Waqf bill.
Following the prayers at Shahi Eidgah, the MP extended Eid greetings to the nation and called for unity.
"Today, millions across the country have offered Eid prayers. I convey my heartfelt greetings to everyone and pray for the progress of our people, our society and our nation," he said.
Asked about the restriction on street prayers, Barq strongly condemned the move.
"I deeply regret this ban. Our Constitution is secular and grants freedom to all religions to celebrate their festivals. There should be no double standards … When other religious events can be held on roads, why object to a 10-minute prayer?" he asked.
"As a citizen and a member of Parliament, I will stand firmly against any injustice towards my people," he added.
He also addressed the opposition to the Waqf bill, acknowledging that while some wore black armbands in protest, others did not.
"Regardless of the form of protest, the entire community stands against this Bill that seeks to strip 40 crore Muslims of their rights. As Parliament reconvenes tomorrow (Tuesday), I will voice my opposition to this Bill along with my party members," he added.
Communal tension has been simmering in Sambhal since a clash on November 24 resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to several people, including security personnel. The violence had broken out during a protest against a court-ordered survey at the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid.
The court had ordered the survey while hearing a petition that claimed the mosque was built on the site of a demolished Hindu temple.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
