The opposition parties criticized a sambhal police officer on thursday for suggesting that people who are uncomfortable with the colors of holi should stay home because the celebration is held once a year. They requested that he be disciplined, claiming that his comments indicate "bias" and are unworthy of an official.
 
In light of the approaching holi festival, which falls on friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, a peace committee meeting was conducted at the sambhal Kotwali police station on Thursday.

"Friday prayers are held 52 times a year, but holi is a one-time celebration.  On the day of holi, anyone who is uncomfortable with the colors should stay indoors.  "Festivals are meant to be celebrated together, so those who go out should have a broad mindset," sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary told reporters following the meeting.
 
 He emphasized the necessity of maintaining law and order via rigorous monitoring and societal cohesion.  To guarantee a smooth celebration, he added, peace committee meetings at different levels had been held for a month.
 
Chaudhary asked people to refrain from forcing colors on those who do not want to participate and encouraged both groups to respect one another's feelings.
 
 Hindus eagerly anticipate holi, same as Muslims do for Eid.  People spread pleasure, share treats, and apply colors to rejoice.  In a same vein, people celebrate Eid by preparing special meals and giving each other hugs.  Togetherness and respect for one another are important to both events," he stated.
 
 Both communities are affected by this.  He added that people shouldn't be compelled to wear color if they don't want it.
 
He reaffirmed the administration's dedication to preserving peace and issued a dire warning that any attempt to sabotage harmony within the community would be met with severe consequences.
 
 According to Samajwadi party spokesperson Sharvendra Bikram Singh, officers "should not act as bjp agents" and denounced the comments.
 
 "To keep the chief minister happy, the officials are copying what they hear from him.  Those who make such claims and blatantly show their bias ought to face consequences.  Officers shouldn't pretend to be bjp operatives; this is unacceptable," he added.
 
Manish Hindvi, the vice chairman of the Uttar Pradesh congress media Committee, stated: "Government in our nation can only operate effectively if all officers, whatever of their identity, are secular.  Anarchy will result otherwise.
 
 "It is the officer's responsibility to make sure that there is no environment of dread or nervousness if members of a certain faith have indicated that they are uncomfortable with playing with colors.
 
 "Arrangements should be made so that namaz is performed in peace and holi is celebrated.  It is a political statement to say that people who don't like color should stay inside and that holi only occurs once a year but friday prayers occur fifty-two times.
 
Such statements are made by those who participate in vote-bank politics.  One cannot make such claims as an official; otherwise, they can claim tomorrow that they will only protect Hindus and not Muslims.  This police officer's comment is absolutely unacceptable.  According to the officers' code of conduct, I think he should be disciplined," Hindvi continued.
 
 Last november 24, protests over a court-ordered study of a Mughal-era Jama Masjid in Sambhal's Kot Garvi area turned violent.  Four persons lost their lives as a result of the tragedy, while several more were injured.
 
 
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G GOWTHAM

07/03/2025 12:18 PM