Drones in Ayodhya, peace room in Bengal: Security tightened across states for Ram Navami celebrations

Security forces being deployed in Ranchi, Jharkhand, ahead of Ram Navami celebrations. (Image: PTI)

As the Ram Navami celebrations get underway across several states, police and administrations have stepped up security measures to avert communal tensions as a large number of religious rallies are expected to take place on Sunday.

Ram Navami is the festival celebrated on the ninth day of the first month of the Hindu calendar – Chaitra.

Also Read: Ram Navami in Ayodhya Live

Security across states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra have been stepped up by the state administrations, including deployment of police and drones.

Peace room in West Bengal

Parts of Bengal have witnessed unrest during religious processions in recent years, prompting the authorities to take pre-emptive measures this time to avert any such situation. Hundreds of rallies have been scheduled across the state.

The police have deployed 29 senior officers to take care of 10 sensitive zones, including 6 police Commissionerate.

#WATCH | Hooghly, West Bengal: Shobha Yatra to be organised in Hooghly today on the occasion of #RamNavami2025 pic.twitter.com/Ux7b8bLAAm
ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025

On the eve of Ram Navami celebrations, Governor CV Ananda Bose announced activating a ‘peace room’ at Raj Bhavan to deal with any situation.

“Raj Bhavan has reactivated the 24×7 peace room with augmented manpower to take prompt action as necessary. Former IG, SSB, S Bandyopadhyay is designated the chief of task force for the purpose. A Rapid Action team has also been formed for a speedy response. The Mobile Raj Bhavan will be on the road since early morning of April 6," the Governor said.

On Saturday, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma toured various parts of the city to oversee security preparations for the upcoming festivities.

VIDEO | Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma inspects security arrangements ahead of Ram Navami procession.Manoj Verma says, "Till today afternoon, we have got about 80 plus applications and we are processing that. We have held several rounds of meeting with the local pic.twitter.com/IxG4qyAccZPress Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 5, 2025

“We encourage everyone to celebrate, but it must not cause discomfort to others,” CP Verma told reporters. He also noted that by Saturday afternoon, the police had received 80 requests for permission to organise processions in the city.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for calm and urged citizens to celebrate peacefully. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has called for 1.5 crore Hindus to take to the streets on Sunday to "peacefully demonstrate Hindu strength."

Security heightened in Ayodhya

UP authorities have deployed drones and security forces to monitor the situation in Ayodhya, as a large number of devotees will be arriving at the Ram Janmbhoomi temple to offer prayers on the holy occasion.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | AI-based drones are being used for monitoring and security purposes as a large number of devotees are arriving at Ram Janmbhoomi temple. pic.twitter.com/KuFZycmoi3
ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025

“People come in large numbers to offer prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami…Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety and security of devotees…Proper parking arrangements have also been made…" Additional SP Madhuban Singh said.

Preparations in Maharashtra

Over 13,500 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai to oversee law and order during Ram Navami processions. They will also use drones to monitor ‘Shobha Yatra’ or processions in communally sensitive Malvani and Malad areas.

The police are making adequate arrangements in the wake of recent communal incidents in the state, including the March 17 violence in Nagpur over the Aurangzeb tomb.

DJ banned in Bihar

In Bihar, the DJs have been completely banned for the celebrations. As per reports, in Rohtas alone, over 230 DJ setups have been seized by the administration.

Additionally, peace committee meetings are being held in districts and social media monitoring is being conducted extensively to prevent spread of any misinformation.

(With inputs from agencies)