Hyderabad: Several mosques along the Durga idol immersion route in Hyderabad were covered with large sheets of cloth and tarpaulin this week. The move, initiated by local authorities and police, was described as a precaution to prevent damage or provocation during the procession.
Mosques covered included Masjid-e-Azizia in Mehdipatnam, Masjid-e-Akbar Owaisi in Golnaka, and Masjid-e-Chowk near Charminar. The coverings were installed a day before the immersion event, reportedly without consultation with mosque committees or community representatives.
Images of the covered mosques circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism from members of the Muslim community. Many expressed discomfort, calling the act unnecessary and disrespectful. They argued that communal harmony depends on mutual respect, not on hiding religious symbols.
Community leaders questioned why dialogue with mosque managements was avoided. “If protection was the aim, the administration should have discussed it with us,” said one mosque trustee. Several local residents echoed the sentiment, saying the coverings sent a message of exclusion rather than peace.
Officials from the Hyderabad police and civic administration maintained that the step was taken purely to maintain public order. However, civil society groups have called for clear guidelines to prevent such unilateral actions in the future.
The incident has raised fresh debate about the visibility of religious symbols in shared public spaces and the responsibilities of the state in handling interfaith sensitivities.
