UP celebrates Eid; some wear black bands against 'atrocities'

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Monday with fervour across Uttar Pradesh, barring protests at certain places by Muslims, many of whom wore black armbands against alleged atrocities on members of the minority community.

Deviating from the usual practice, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not visit the Eidgah (prayer ground) here, prompting his predecessor Akhilesh Yadav to take a swipe at him.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma visited the eidgah.

Reacting to Adityanath's absence, president Yadav told reporters, "I am a former chief minister...I am here. He (Adityanath) should tell why he did not come." It has been customary for Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to visit an eidgah on the occasion of Eid, which marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramazan.

Adityanath, however, greeted the people on the ocassion and noted that the festival is a special occasion where the message of joy and peace is spread to the world.

"This festival of happiness enhances the spirit of mutual brotherhood as well as strengthening social unity. It gives everyone a message of peace and harmony in society," he said.

Governor Ram Naik also visited the eidgah and extended greetings to the Muslim community on the occasion.

The deputy chief minister said, "On one side there is eidgah and on the other Ramlila is played (in Aishbagh). This is an area of Ali and Bajrangbali and when both unite it gives strength to democracy."

In Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in the state capital, a number of devout Muslims offered Namaz wearing black armband to register their protest against the alleged atrocities.

In Mau, Muslims in Naseerpur village of the district abstained from celebrating Eid over the killing of a village elderly and alleged throwing of meat near a mosque. They offered prayers wearing black bands on their kurta.

According to the police, on June 23, miscreants threw pieces of meat, alleged to be pork, towards the mosque. When a village elderly resisted, the miscreants shot him dead.

Meanwhile in Amethi, some pieces of meat and bottles of liquor were allegedly found near a mosque. Police have filed a case against some unidentified persons for mischief and provoking breach of the peace, officials said on Monday.