In Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur, authorities have covered 48 mosques and mazars with plastic tarpaulin sheets ahead of the traditional ‘Laat Sahab’ or ‘Juta Maar Holi’ procession. The administration said the step was taken as a precaution to prevent any untoward incident during the annual Holi celebration.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said that security arrangements this year are stronger than before. “Compared to last year, around one-and-a-half times more security personnel will be deployed. More than 200 magistrates will also be on duty to ensure the procession is peaceful,” he said.
According to him, four Additional Superintendents of Police, 13 Circle Officers, 310 sub-inspectors, 1,200 constables and 500 home guards will be stationed across the city. In addition, four companies each of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), along with a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), will be present during the event.
CCTV Surveillance and Barricading Along 8-Km Route
Officials said over 100 solar-powered CCTV cameras have been installed along the eight-kilometre route of the ‘Bade Lat Sahab’ and ‘Chhote Lat Sahab’ processions. Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Rajneesh Kumar Mishra said, “A total of 48 mosques and mazars on the route have been fully covered with thick plastic sheets as a precaution.”
He added that 148 lanes connected to the procession route will be barricaded to prevent sudden crowd gatherings. “We have divided the route into seven zones and deployed 136 zonal, sector and static magistrates. Also, 103 magistrates will be posted at Holika Dahan sites,” Mishra said.
Police officials said preventive action has also been taken against identified troublemakers. Peace committee meetings have been held for the past month at different police stations to maintain communal harmony.
What is ‘Juta Maar Holi’? A Centuries-Old Tradition
The ‘Juta Maar Holi’ is a unique and centuries-old tradition of Shahjahanpur. On Holi, a person dressed as a British-era ‘Laat Sahab’ sits on a buffalo cart and moves through the city. People throw shoes and sandals at him while playing with colours and chanting slogans.
The procession starts from the Phoolmati Devi Temple and moves through different parts of the city. Thousands of people take part in the event every year.
Historian Dr. Vikas Khurana of Swami Sukdevanand College said the tradition dates back to the 18th century. “When Nawab Abdullah Khan returned to Shahjahanpur in 1728 on the day of Holi, both Hindus and Muslims celebrated together. That is how this procession began,” he explained.
He added that after the British regained control of the city in 1859, the administration formally took charge of organising the procession. In 1988, the name was changed from ‘Nawab Sahab’ to ‘Lat Sahab’ by the then district magistrate.
Dr. Khurana also mentioned that in 1990, a petition was filed in the High Court to stop the procession, but the court refused to interfere, calling it an old and established tradition.
Administration Appeals for Peaceful Holi
Police have urged residents to celebrate Holi peacefully. “Strict action will be taken against anyone trying to disturb law and order,” SP Dwivedi said.
With heightened security, CCTV monitoring and administrative measures in place, officials hope that the traditional procession will pass off smoothly this year.
