It seems that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's initiatives to follow guidelines on Eid-ul-Azha paid off. On his appeal, Muslim religious leaders came forward in his support and subsequently, the people of the state offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers in Eidgahs, not on the roads. Bakrid prayers were offered at more than 30,000 places in Uttar Pradesh. During this, security remained tight at about 3,000 sensitive places. The animal sacrifices were made only at marked places.
In sensitive areas, drones were monitored from the sky. A day before, the police force had assured safety by conducting a flag march.
On the call of CM Yogi, Eid prayers were not offered on the roads, obstructing traffic anywhere in the state. Muslim religious leaders also supported the appeal of the CM, as a result, Eid prayers were offered at Eidgah or other marked traditional places.
In many areas where there was less space in mosques and Eidgahs, people offered prayers in different shifts.
At the same time, heavy security arrangements were made across the state. In sensitive areas, surveillance was done from the sky through drones, while on the ground, a heavy police force had instilled confidence in the people about security by taking out a flag march a day before.
CM Yogi had already directed the officials of all the districts of the state and senior officers of the state level regarding Bakrid. He had said that senior officers posted at the police station, circle, district, range, zone and division level should maintain dialogue with the religious leaders of their respective areas, other eminent people of the society, so that a positive message goes among the public.
The efforts of CM Yogi, who gives top priority to social harmony and law and order, bore fruit. Religious events with peace and harmony are becoming a new norm in UP. Law and order in Yogi regime set an example for other states. There has been no communal riot in the state for the last seven years and all the major festivals and events have been conducted peacefully.
While the image of the state was created as a curfew-free state, UP also proved to be a role model for other states in the country in terms of law and order. On the last Ram Navami, there were many incidents of violence and riots in many states of the country, while more than 800 processions were taken out in Uttar Pradesh and not a single incident of dispute took place.
