Sambhal Cop's Holi Advice to Muslims Sparks Controversy

The Hindu festival of Holi coincided with a Friday this year. On that Friday, Muslims around the world observed Ramadan and it happened to fall on the same day as Holi. Anuj Chaudhary, a police official who is working as a Circle Officer in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh, was put under scrutiny from the opposition for saying Muslims should stay indoors during Holi colors if they do not wish to see Holi colors.

During a peace committee meeting at Sambhal Kotwali police station, Anuj Chaudhary said, "Only those should be coming out who want to bear the colour of Holi.” Additionally, he said that “if you feel like you are going to be uncomfortable with the colours of Holi then you should stay indoors."

It's essential to maintain social order while at the same time promoting peace to avoid social unrest. To provide context, these meetings have been running for a month now at multiple levels to prepare for any disturbances during the celebration.

Sambhal was caught in the middle of clashes between communities regarding a court-mandated examination of a mosque. While engaging with people from both groups, Chaudhary spoke about appreciating other people’s feelings and suggested avoiding the practice of forcibly splashing colours on non-participants.

He further outlined the nature of these celebrations, saying, “As much as Muslims anticipate Eid, Hindus anticipate Holi. Holi is celebrated by splashing colours, rejoicing, sharing sweets and laughing. Eid is also celebrated by preparing special foods, celebrating and hugging one another. Togetherness and mutual respect are the essence of both the festivals."

"He adds that this goes for both sides, in the case that someone does not want to be splashed with colours,”

Reiterating the commitment of the administration regarding public order, he added that trying to disrupt community unity in any way would be met with harsh consequences. 

The comments from the officer suggesting that Muslims remain indoors during the celebration of Holi did not sit well with the Samajwadi Party which criticized the officer's behavior telling him to stop acting like a “BJP agent.”

"The officers are mocking what they hear coming from the chief minister's office, trying to keep him pleased. Steps ought to be taken towards those who openly partisan such comments. This is unacceptable. An officer should not do these things as though he were an agent for the BJP," he said.

Congress also denounced the officers comments, remarking such comments reflect an unhealthy attitude towards democracy. “An officer who possesses myopia can be of any religion. For effective governance to operate in this country, that is the minimum level of secularism required. Otherwise, it will result in disorder. . . If citizens of a particular faith have showed discomfort with the colorful displays, it is the officer's responsibility to create an environment where they do not feel afraid or insecure," explained Uttar Pradesh Congress Media Committee Vice-President Manish Hindvi.

“An arrangement can be created where both Holi and Namaz can be done in peace. Claiming Holi comes once a year while Friday prayers take place 52 times, coupled with asking those who are colour averse to stay home, is political. Action needs to be taken on this guy,” Hindvi said.

Last year on November 24, protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era Jama Masjid turned violent in Kot Garvi in Sambhal. An incident of this nature claimed four lives, and left many others injured.

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