Meerut: A day after UP police officials got women residing in their areas to tie rakhis to them under the #RakhiWithKhaki campaign, which was launched on Raksha Bandhan in the state, a Muslim cleric held it against the girls, saying the act of tying the threads on wrists of cops was against Islam.

“It is compulsory for Muslim women to wear a purdah and even if they don’t want to do that, it is against Islam for any woman to touch a man, which she has to, while tying a rakhi. Hence, I condemn this act of Muslim women tying rakhis on the wrists of police officers,” said Ahmed Goud, a cleric and a resident of Deoband.

Under the #RakhiWithKhaki campaign on Sunday, cops deployed at all the police stations in UP, ranging from station house officers to sub-inspectors, got Rakhis tied from women and girls in their areas to instill confidence and a sense of security among them.

“Raksha Bandhan is a festival of Hindus and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the country. The festival became the talk of the town after women tied Rakhis on the wrists of police officers here. I believe that in spite of taking steps for the progress of the country, we are treading on a path which is controversial. As far as religion is concerned, each individual should follow his own. Trying to follow some other person’s religion is unacceptable and will result in a clash of thoughts,” added Goud.

The initiative #RakhiWithKhaki was given a green signal via the Twitter handle of UP police, with a tweet, which read, “DGP OP Singh has directed all the Police stn to celebrate #Rakshabandhan tomorrow in thana premise. Every SHO will cordially invite women/girls of their area to the PS who will tie Rakhi to entire staff. In turn, policemen will assure them of their safety & security #RakhiWithKhaki.” (sic.)

