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A police official’s request to the Muslim community to remain indoors on Holi if they aren’t comfortable with colours sparked row in Uttar Pradesh. The Opposition lashed out at the cop.
UP Police official sparks row with Holi remark (PTI Image)
A top police official in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Thursday sparked a row as he urged the Muslims to stay indoors on the occasion of Holi – which falls on Friday this year – if they feel “uncomfortable with the colours”.
Highlighting the significance of Holi for Hindus, the police official equated the enthusiasm during this festival with that of Eid for Muslims.
The Samajwadi Party and Congress lashed out at the official, stating that he “should not act as BJP agents”.
What Did The Police Officer Say?
Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary said Holi is celebrated once a year, while Friday prayers are held 52 times in the year, adding that both Hindus and Muslims should respect each other.
“Friday comes 52 times in a year; Holi comes once. If any individual in the Muslim community feels that you’re uncomfortable with the colours, then do not step out of your homes. Or if they step out, they should have a large heart that colours are afterall colours. Just like Muslims wait for Eid for the entire year, the Hindus wait for Holi every year. Both Hindus and Muslims should respect each other,” he said.
Sambhal CO to Muslims at Peace Committee Meeting on Holi:“Those Who have Problem with Colours should STAY AT HOME!”🔥 pic.twitter.com/OHbUxno0Ob
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) March 6, 2025
His remarks came after a peace committee meeting on Thursday at the Sambhal Kotwali police station for the upcoming Holi festival, which coincides with Friday prayers during Ramzan.
The officer stressed on the need for communal harmony and said that such peace committee meetings have been taking place for a month at various levels to ensure the smooth celebration of festivals.
He also urged both Hindus and Muslims to respect each other’s sentiments and appealed to the people not to forcibly apply colours on those who do not wish to participate in the Holi celebrations.
Opposition Slams Cop’s Remarks
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sharvendra Bikram Singh condemned the remarks and said that the officer was only “imitating what they hear from the chief minister to stay in his good books”.
He called for action against the officer for “displaying his bias”.
“This is condemnable, and officers should not act as BJP agents,” he said.
Uttar Pradesh Congress Media Committee Vice Chairman Manish Hindvi said that the officers should be secular, or else it will “lead to anarchy”.
“If people from a particular religion have expressed discomfort with the playing with colours, the officer’s duty is to ensure that there is no atmosphere of fear or insecurity,” he said.
The Congress leader said that the police should make arrangements where both Holi could be celebrated and Namaz could be offered peacefully.
“Saying that Holi comes once a year while Friday prayers happen 52 times and that those who dislike colours should stay indoors is a political statement,” he said.
- Location :
Sambhal, India, India
