Hindu, Muslim inmates observe Navratri fast together in Muzaffarnagar jail

Hindu and Muslim inmates of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district jail have been taking part in the Navratri celebrations together.

Hindu and Muslim inmates of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district jail have been taking part in the Navratri celebrations together to promote communal harmony. Several Muslim inmates have been observing fasts with the Hindu prisoners.

Sitaram Sharma, Muzaffarnagar Jail Superintendent, said the Muslim prisoners offered prayers to Goddess Durga inside the jail.

Sharma said more than 3,000 prisoners were lodged in the jail, adding that out of these, 1,104 Hindu prisoners and 218 Muslim prisoners were observing fasts together.

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The jail staffer said in the district jail, the prisoners of all sects offer their prayers without any discrimination.

“It is great to see such a positive environment. In fact, food is also being distributed equally. Everyone has their own free will. They are worshiping on their own will,” he said.

The nine-day Navratri festivities started on September 26, 2022, with the Ghadasthapana rite. They will conclude on October 5, 2022, with the Durga Visarjan or Dussehra/Vijayadashami celebration. During these days the devotees rise early and take a bath. They either observe fasts or avoid non-veg food, onion, garlic, alcohol and tobacco. They also gather the entire puja samagri including flowers, roli, chandan, and other items, and present it to the Goddess.