Residents submit a memorandum seeking equal respect for festivals, citing government support for Kanwar pilgrims, including aerial flower showers by officials
SAMBHAL – Members of the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal have demanded that the state government extend similar gestures of honour to their religious festivals as it does to Hindu ones. They have specifically requested that flower petals be showered from helicopters on worshippers gathering for Eid ul-Fitr prayers and Alvida Juma (Ramadan’s last Friday) at the historic Jama Masjid in the town.
A delegation from the community visited the district headquarters and handed over a memorandum to District Magistrate Pradeep Verma. In the document, they pointed out that state authorities regularly organise flower showers for Kanwar Yatra participants. During the annual pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva, pilgrims – known as Kanwariyas – receive petals dropped from helicopters. Senior officials, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have personally participated in such events to welcome them.
The community argued that this practice shows official respect for Hindu festivals, and the same should apply to Muslim occasions. “The government should respect Muslim religious festivals in the same way it respects Hindu religious festivals,” the delegation said in the memorandum. They added that flower showers had never been a traditional demand from the Muslim side before, but this year they felt it was necessary to highlight the need for equal treatment.
It is well-documented that during the Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, the police and administration provide extensive support to pilgrims. This includes not only flower showers but also other facilities, such as foot massages in some instances, which are widely shared in the media and promoted by the government. Chief Minister Adityanath has been photographed and filmed showering flowers on Kanwariyas from helicopters as a mark of encouragement and goodwill.
However, no such aerial or official flower shower arrangements have been made for large gatherings during Eid prayers in Sambhal or elsewhere in the state. The Muslim community in Sambhal noted that, although they had not raised this issue earlier, the visible difference in how festivals are treated prompted their request this time.
The demand comes amid ongoing discussions in parts of Uttar Pradesh about equal treatment of religious events. In Sambhal itself, recent instances of inter-community goodwill have been reported, including locals from different faiths exchanging flowers during festivals, though those were community-led rather than government-organised.
District authorities have received the memorandum, but no immediate response or decision on the request has been announced. The matter is likely to be reviewed in light of administrative protocols for public events and security considerations during large congregations.
This development reflects the Muslim community’s call for parity in state support for religious observances, ensuring that all faiths receive equal recognition and facilities from the government.
