In Shahjahanpur, some kids threw stones at the ‘Laat Sahab’ during a celebration on Friday, but the police quickly stopped them. Superintendent of Police Rajesh S explained that the ‘Laat Sahab’ celebration started at Kunchalal, went by Phoolmati Mandir and Town Hall, and ended back at Kunchalal. At the Khirni Bagh intersection, a group of five or six kids threw colorful powder (gulal) and even shoes at ‘Laat Sahab’ before throwing a stone. The police were there and chased the kids away.
When asked if the police used force, the SP said no. He mentioned that the procession first went to the Phoolmati Temple for prayers and then to the Kotwali, where ‘Laat Sahab’ was honored. During the event, ‘Laat Sahab’ asked a police officer about the crimes that happened throughout the year, and the officer gave him a bottle of liquor and some cash.
Many people joined in the celebration, throwing shoes while cheering for ‘Laat Sahab.’ The police set up strong security around ‘Laat Sahab’s bullock cart. The SP also noted that there were 18 other processions during this celebration, with two being especially important.
To ensure the mosques along the route stayed clean, about 20 of them were covered with tarps, and barriers were put near mosques and electrical transformers. For the first time, a special celebration took place in the district jail, where they made a statue of ‘Laat Sahab’ after prisoners requested it. They had fun throwing colors at each other.
This celebration began in 1728 when Nawab Abdullah Khan played Holi with the people of Shahjahanpur. Over time, the tradition changed to picking an unknown person as ‘Laat Sahab,’ painting their face black, and parading them on a bullock cart while throwing shoes. Historian Dr. Vikas Khurana mentioned a court case in 1990 to stop the parade, but the court allowed it to continue, calling it an old tradition
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