Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued an advisory to all the states and Union territories on the maintenance of law and order ahead of Hanuman Jayanti, which will be celebrated tomorrow.
The MHA urged the states to ensure a peaceful celebration of the holiday and keep an eye out for anything that might jeopardise social cohesion. “In advance of Hanuman Jayanti, MHA has given a warning to all states. The Home Minister’s Office issued a statement encouraging the governments to maintain law and order, observe the holiday in peace, and keep an eye out for anything that might jeopardise social harmony.
The development comes on the heels of protests that erupted in West Bengal and neighbouring Bihar during Ram Navami celebrations. Incidents of violence, arson, and stone-pelting were reported in these two states around Ram Navami.
Following the confrontations, Section 144 prohibition orders were also put into effect in some parts of West Bengal.
The Calcutta High Court’s acting Chief Justice Bench had also directed the deployment of central force troops in a few sensitive regions of the state prior to Hanuman Jayanti.
In order to preserve law and order, the court instructed the state to ask paramilitary forces for help.