MEERUT, March 31 -- Eid-ul-Fitr, the day marking the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan, was celebrated with fervour across western Uttar Pradesh with prayers offered at Eidgahs and mosques in districts, including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor and Saharanpur.

While joy and unity marked the day, it also saw protests over the Waqf Amendment Bill and separate demonstrations in support of Palestine. In Meerut, Eid prayers commenced early morning under stringent security measures. A nine-point traffic diversion plan, active from 5 am to 12 noon, restricted vehicle movement near sensitive mixed-population zones and mosques.

At the Shahi Eidgah, police deployed drones for surveillance as some worshippers wore black armbands protesting ...