Sambhal cop sparks row with Holi advice to Muslims: 'Step out only if comfortable with colours'

Devotees leave Shahi Jama Masjid after offering prayers, in Sambhal. (File/PTI)

A police official in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district has drawn the Opposition's criticism for his suggestion to Muslims to avoid stepping out of their houses for Friday prayers this week as it coincides with the Hindu festival of Holi.

The festival of Holi is falling on a Friday this year, a day crucial for Muslims especially during the holy month of Ramzan.

Speaking to a gathering during a peace committee meeting at the Sambhal Kotwali police station, Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary said Muslims should step out of their homes on Holi only if they can handle the colours of Holi.

#Sambhal- CO , , 52 CO !@wrestleranuj@myogiadityanath#holipic.twitter.com/BlNUl1RLgU

(@IVibhorAggarwal) March 6, 2025

"Holi is a festival that comes once a year, whereas Friday prayers take place 52 times in a year. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi, they should stay indoors on that day. Those who step out should have a broad mindset, as festivals are meant to be celebrated together," he later told reporters after the meeting.

He emphasised the need for communal harmony and strict vigilance to maintain law and order. He said that peace committee meetings had been going on for a month at various levels to ensure smooth celebrations.

Sambhal was caught in the midst of communal tensions over a court-ordered mosque survey. In his conversation with people from both communities, Chaudhary urged respect for each other's sentiments and also appealed to people to avoid forcibly applying colours on those who do not wish to participate.

"Just as Muslims eagerly await Eid, Hindus look forward to Holi. People celebrate by applying colours, sharing sweets, and spreading joy. Similarly, on Eid, people prepare special dishes and embrace each other in celebration. The essence of both the festivals is togetherness and mutual respect," he said.

"This applies to both communities. If someone does not want colour, they should not be forced," he said.

Reiterating the administration's commitment to maintaining peace, he warned that any attempt to disturb communal harmony would be dealt with strictly.

The remarks by the officer advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi has not gone down well with the Samajwadi Party which condemned the officer's conduct and advised him not to act "like a BJP agent".

"The officers are imitating what they hear from the chief minister to stay in his good books. Action should be taken against those who make such statements and openly display their bias. This is condemnable, and officers should not act as BJP agents," he said.

Congress also condemned the officer's remarks and said officers of secular mindset are important for governance. "An officer, regardless of who they are, must be secular; only then can governance function properly in this country. Otherwise, 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," Uttar Pradesh Congress Media Committee Vice Chairman Manish Hindvi said.

"There should be an arrangement where both Holi is celebrated and Namaz is 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," Hindvi said, demanding action against the officer.

On November 24 last year, violence erupted in Sambhal's Kot Garvi locality during protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era Jama Masjid. The incident led to the death of four people, while several others sustained injuries.