Raigad police unveil controversial plan for chaotic New Year celebrations

In India, the head of the All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, has publicly issued a fatwa against new year celebrations this weekend. He described such festivities as promoting negative aspects such as drunkenness, obscenity, and hooliganism, labeling the new year as a 'Christian' holiday due to its roots in the Gregorian calendar. The fatwa calls for Muslims to focus on religious observance and discourages participation in what he terms non-religious practices. This decree has sparked controversy and opposition from various political figures, particularly from the Indian National Congress, which dismissed the fatwa as misguided and detrimental to community relations. Additionally, the response reflects the ongoing tensions in India regarding religious identity and the celebration of festivals seen as non-Islamic. The opposition argues that sentiments like these foster division rather than unity, highlighting the complex interplay between politics and religion in contemporary Indian society. In conjunction with this development, major cities in India, including Bengaluru and Raigad, are implementing extensive safety measures for their New Year celebrations. The Bengaluru police have outlined guidelines to ensure public safety, particularly after previous incidents of mass molestation during celebrations. This year, they have increased police presence and have prohibited acts such as drinking and driving to prevent chaos. Raigad police have similarly devised strategies to manage tourist influx and maintain order during the holiday season. Such initiatives come in light of past occurrences that have necessitated heightened security and community awareness during festive times.