On March 13, 2025, the UP Police conducted a large-scale flag march in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, as part of heightened security measures ahead of the Holi festival on March 14, 2025. This move comes in the wake of tensions in Sambhal, which have persisted since the violent riots in November 2024 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
The flag march, involving a significant deployment of police personnel, aims to maintain law and order in Sambhal as the region prepares for Holi 2025. According to reports from ANI and local authorities, the measure follows a peace committee meeting held on March 6, 2025, to ensure harmonious celebrations. The UP Police are also covering 10 religious sites, including the Shahi Jama Masjid, with tarpaulin sheets along the Holi procession route to prevent any communal tensions.
This intensified security reflects broader efforts across Uttar Pradesh, where police have activated intelligence networks and deployed personnel statewide to maintain vigilance during the festival. The flag march in Sambhal is particularly significant given the city’s recent history of unrest.
Sambhal’s Tensions Since the November 2024 Riots
Sambhal has remained tense since November 24, 2024, when violence erupted during a court-ordered Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey, initiated following claims that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple, led to clashes, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries. The Shahi Jama Masjid, a 500-year-old Mughal-era mosque and an ASI-protected monument, has been at the centre of this dispute. The Shahi Jama Masjid, established in 1526 during Babur’s reign, is the oldest surviving Mughal-era mosque in South Asia and a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1904. Its historical significance and the recent court-ordered survey have made it a focal point of communal tension in Sambhal. The mosque’s location and the ongoing legal disputes have necessitated tight security measures, including the recent flag march.
Holi 2025 Security Measures in Sambhal
Ahead of Holi 2025, Sambhal authorities have ramped up security to ensure peaceful celebrations. The UP Police’s flag march, combined with peace committee efforts and tarpaulin coverage of religious sites, demonstrates a proactive approach to prevent any recurrence of violence. The Sambhal District Magistrate and police officials have emphasized their commitment to maintaining harmony, especially given Holi’s overlap with Friday prayers (Jumme ki Namaz) during Ramzan.
