Hanuman Chalisa recitation plan near mosque prompts police security measures

Police have increased security around a mosque in the Kesarganj Mandi area after a video circulated on social media in which a Hindu outfit leader announced plans to recite the Hanuman Chalisa near the mosque on Tuesday, officials said.

Additional personnel have been stationed outside the mosque and police patrolling in the area has also been intensified as a precaution, they said.

In the video, Pinky Chaudhary, national president of a Hindu outfit, announced the plan to recite the Hanuman Chalisa near the mosque. Police have also stepped up monitoring in the locality to prevent any untoward incident.

Zubair, the mosque's ‘mutawalli’ (caretaker), approached the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police and submitted a complaint seeking action. He also appealed to the police to maintain peace and order in the area.

Police said construction work on the upper floor of the Kesarganj Mandi mosque was stopped around a month ago following a complaint by local traders. The video emerged amid developments related to the issue.

Superintendent of Police (City) Vinayak Gopal Bhosale told PTI that additional personnel had been deployed outside the mosque and patrolling had been stepped up. Police were also monitoring social media posts and activities in the locality, he said.

Bhosale said maintaining law and order was the priority and warned that nobody would be permitted to take the law into their own hands.

Police also appealed to residents to maintain peace and not pay heed to unverified information or rumours.  (with inputs from PTI)