NEW DELHI: Ahead of the festival season, the Centre has asked all states to be extra vigilant against communal clashes as Eid-ul-Zuha, which witnesses 'qurbani', will be celebrated a day ahead of immersion of Ganesh idol.
In an advisory to all states and union territories, the Home Ministry said that 'Ganesh Chaturthi' would be celebrated throughout the country over a ten-day period from September 17 to 27 with traditional pujas, fairs, large gatherings marked with pandals and installation of Ganesh idols.
Festivities conclude with the immersion of idols in nearby water bodies, sometimes accompanied by massive processions.
During the festival, provocative sloganeering, especially near mosques and dargahs, installations of idols and observance of the festival at disputed places, processions through non-traditional routes and forcible collection of donations, eve teasing etc. often trigger communal tensions.
Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid is falling on September 25 (Friday), shortly before immersion of Ganesh idol, and it will be celebrated with Namaz in Eidgahs, followed by customary sacrifices or 'qurbani'.
Campaigns against cow slaughter by Hindu activists have witnessed an increase in recent weeks with interpretation of cattle transportation, sometimes leading to road-blockades, arson and communal incidents. In the past, sacrifice of cattle at public/ non-traditional places has also provided the flash point for communal incidents.
Besides, crowded pandals and immersion processions also remain soft targets for saboteurs.
"Special watch on pandals, procession routes and venues of immersion would be desirable to prevent communal incidents and other law and order problems," the advisory said.