Ahead of the upcoming Holi festival on March 14, which coincides with the Friday prayers during the month of Ramzan, Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Kumar Chaudhary on Thursday addressed concerns over potential discomfort for those who may not wish to participate in the colour festivities. He suggested that individuals uncomfortable with colours should remain indoors, emphasizing that Holi comes only once a year.
A peace committee meeting was convened at the Sambhal Kotwali police station on Thursday in preparation for the festival. During the meeting, CO Chaudhary stated that since Holi is an annual celebration, and there are 52 Fridays in a year, the Muslim community members who are not comfortable with colours should avoid places where Holi is being celebrated.
“We have requested the Muslim community that if they cannot accept being coloured, then they should stay at home or avoid the areas where Holi is being celebrated. Hindus wait all year for Holi, just as Muslims wait for Eid. It’s only one day for Holi, and we have asked that if Muslims do not want colours to fall on them, they should remain indoors. If they do go out, they should be big-hearted enough not to object if some colour happens to fall on them,” Chaudhary told reporters.
The CO further emphasized that both Hindus and Muslims would celebrate their respective festivals in their own unique ways. “We had a meeting with people from all communities. Holi is a festival of harmony, and both Hindus and Muslims will celebrate in their own way,” Chaudhary stated.
Holi, a popular Hindu festival, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, marked by playing with colours in joyous celebration with friends and family.
Earlier, on February 27, security had been increased around the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal after the Allahabad High Court appointed a three-member committee to oversee the mosque’s painting preparations ahead of Ramzan, according to local officials.