Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday backed the senior Sambhal police officer who had controversially “advised” Muslims to stay indoors during Holi, repeating the officer’s comments that the festival comes once a year while juma prayers are offered every Friday.
This year’s Holi falls on March 14, coinciding with Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
On March 6, at the peace committee meeting at the Sambhal Kotwali police station, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anuj Chaudhary said: “The festival of colours comes only once in an year while the Friday (for namaz) comes 52 times in one year. I advise my Muslim brothers who think that colours on them while going for the Friday namaz will be an ungodly act should remain indoors until the Holi celebrations on the streets subside.”
Speaking at the India Today conclave, Adityanath said that the police officer may have spoken as a “pehalwan”. Chaudhary is a former wrestler and Arjuna awardee. Adityanath also thanked religious leaders for deciding to hold the Friday namaz after 2 pm.
“We should respect each other’s feelings during festivals. Prayers are offered every Friday, but Holi comes only once a year. The namaz can be delayed, and if anyone is willing to offer Friday prayers on time (normal time of 1.30 pm), they can do so while remaining in their house. Going to the mosque for the namaz is not mandatory,” said Adityanath.
The Opposition in Uttar Pradesh and Muslim religious leaders have expressed concern over the Sambhal police officer’s statement, alleging that officials in the government are acting as agents of the BJP.
Samajwadi Party MP and general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav claimed that it was Chaudhary who engineered riots in Sambhal: “What can you expect from a cop who incited people during the violence. Such people will be in jails whenever there is a change of regime,” he said.
Congress leader Aditya Goswami filed a complaint against the DSP with Muniraj G, the Moradabad Deputy Inspector General (DIG). “The policeman is trying to wedge a rift and increase hatred among people in the name of religion. His statement was highly objectionable, which would only lead to hatred between the two communities,” he said.
The DSP also faced flak from Rajendra Pensiya, the District Magistrate of Sambhal, who has issued directives stating that no official should make any public statements without his or the SP’s permission. “The top priority of the district administration is to maintain peace. No officer should make any statements that could hurt the religious feelings of any group of people,” the DM said Saturday.
