Hindus observed one of their biggest festival, Holi this week. It is not just the festival of Hindus considering India as a secular union with Hindus in the majority. Hindus being the majority never saw any threat coming, but events reported this year are alarming. There have been notices and circulars at institutions regarding the ban on DJs, public gatherings and attacks on people celebrating Holi.
Are Hindus seriously under attack? Decide on your own after going through the following incidents:
On March 6 in Meerut, a scuffle broke out between Hindus and Muslims after the former was collecting money for the ‘Holika Dahan’. As many as three people were detained after the incident. The incident was reported from the Harinagar colony which falls under the jurisdiction of the Brahmapuri police station.
UP | Three people detained after a scuffle broke out between two groups in Meerut
Info was received about a scuffle b/w 2 groups in Harinagar Mohalla. 2 people got injured & have been sent for medical treatment. Further probe into the matter is underway: Meerut SP, Piyush Kumar pic.twitter.com/8OLMR2lEsq
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 5, 2023
On March 4 students at the Banaras Hindu University protested against a circular issued by the college authority which barred students from playing Holi on the campus premises. The notice further said that students cannot play loud music on campus.
However, after the students protested against the circular the administration revoked it and allowed students to celebrate the festival.
Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University Sudhir Jain, who hosted Iftari during Ramzan, has banned Holi at the campus.@VCofficeBHU थोड़ी शर्म करो।। pic.twitter.com/Ghc6baODmL
— Samrat (@BhaiiSamrat) March 3, 2023
On March 4 a cleric issued threats against Hindu processions passing by the Mosque on Holi in the Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The cleric, Sadaqat Hussain made these remarks during a meeting organised at the Bilari police station of the city.
"मस्जिद के आगे से निकला होली का जुलुस तो होगा दंगा-फसाद और झगड़ा।"
मुरादाबाद में इमाम सदाकत हुसैन की धमकी।
बिलारी कोतवाली में आयोजित पीसी कमेटी में भड़काऊ बातें बोला मौलाना, मामला दर्ज कर कार्रवाई में जुटी पुलिस। pic.twitter.com/lILYYoU6lx
— Panchjanya (@epanchjanya) March 4, 2023
Video from the government-run institution Jamila Milia Islamia was widely circulated on the internet ahead of the festival. In the videos students playing Holi are being attacked by others hailing slogans ‘Nara-e-Takbeer’ and ‘Alla-hu-Akhbar’.
Delhi: Viral Videos claimed to be from Govt-run Jamia Milia Islamia University, whereby radicals can be seen threatening students celebrating holi and screaming Naara-E-Takbir and Allah-u-Akbar. Earlier also they warned against any holi celebration in campus pic.twitter.com/zaka31XVJB
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) March 2, 2023
In a tyrannical decision, the Rajasthan’s Gehlot government in Barmer district imposed section 144 on Holi. The restrictions will continue till Ramnavmi and Navratri celebrations. Bhartiya Janta Party Member of Parliament Arjun Lal Meena questioned the intention of the government that allows free power supply during Ramzan but imposes section 144 on Hindu festivals.
होली के लिए गहलोत सरकार का 'तुगलकी फरमान' जारी हो गया है।
अशोक गहलोत जी हिन्दू पर्वों से आखिर आपको इतनी नफरत क्यों हैं? एक तरफ हिंदूओं के धार्मिक प्रतीकों, यात्राओं पर रोक और दूसरी तरफ रमजान में मुस्लिम इलाकों में बिजली न काटने का फरमान…! यह कैसी दोहरी मानसिकता है आपकी? pic.twitter.com/8C4UcBaPge
— Arjun Lal Meena (@ArjunMeenaBJP) March 3, 2023
A similar notice was issued by the administration of Delhi University which barred students from assembling at one place on the occasion of Holi. The ABVP volunteers demanded the withdrawal of the notice.
Delhi University has circulated a notice prohibiting the celebration of Holi across campuses
There is a continuous attack on Hindu festivals
Hinduphobic guidelines prohibiting the celebration of Holi across campuses must be withdrawn
ABVP demands withdrawal of the order pic.twitter.com/WxvvF3AfGg
— Adv MN Gopinadh (@GopinadhMN) March 5, 2023
On March 8 in Telangana, one Mohammad Shabbir poured petrol over Anjaya and set him on fire after receiving stains of colour on his clothes. His condition was critical as he sustained severe burns and was taking medical aid at the hospital.
https://twitter.com/shashank_ssj/status/1633139828501155841?s=20
In the Begusarai district of Bihar, the oppressive police administration took action against as many as 3774 people. More than a thousand people have chalan worth a lakh against them. Other than this, the owners of DJs and bands were also booked. The administration also issued an Anti-DJ helpline number for the locals. As per the notice, the police will take action against those playing DJs within five minutes of the complaint.
https://twitter.com/BegusaraiPolice/status/1632688753838813184?s=20
In Delhi, a Hindu boy Manish Sharma was found dead in suspicious circumstances. Their family alleged that he was out with friends Salman and Rashid. Initiating the probe the police arrested them and the investigations are underway.
होली के दिन हिंदू युवक मनीष शर्मा संदिग्ध मौत, ग्रेटर नोएडा के दनकौर क्षेत्र से मिला शव…
मुस्लिम दोस्तों संग होली मनाने जा रहा था हिंदू युवक, पुलिस ने दोस्त सलमान और राशिद को किया गिरफ्तार…@myogiadityanath @Uppolice @noidapolice pic.twitter.com/33jxvx0qAl
— Sudarshan News (@SudarshanNewsTV) March 9, 2023
In the Kalandi Kunj area of Delhi, the police lathicharged youth playing Holi on the streets. The visuals from the attack went viral on the internet and many called it dictatorial.
बीकानेर,करोली, बेगुसराय में जैसे हिंदुओ को होली पर डीजे ना ग़ुब्बारा ना अच्छे से होली खेलने पर मनाही थी।
अब देखिए दिल्ली के हालात कालिन्दी कुंज जो अमानतुल्लह खान का इलाक़ा है वहाँ तेज आवाज़ में डीजे बजा रहे हिंदू युवक को दिल्ली पुलिस कैसे पीटती हुई ले गयी है। pic.twitter.com/Xnqq44GvLA
— Sagar Kumar “Sudarshan News” (@KumaarSaagar) March 9, 2023
Apart from the above administrative actions the advertisement agencies and media channels were busy being woke as they were preaching lessons against Holi and its celebration. The first and foremost was the Bharat Matrimony where Holi was associated with harassment. Then came the online food delivery chain Swiggy with the ‘Egg upside down’ billboards.
Media organisation Dainik Jagran printed an endorsement on the occasion of Holi with a quote “Ek Mohalla, Ek Holika”. This means if people are performing ‘Holika Dahan’ at their homes they are either polluting the environment or are not united enough.
क्यों न लाखों पेड़ो को न काटकर @JagranNews उपलों से ही अख़बार बना लेता है 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TkdnzgkHIu
— Nishant Azad/निशांत आज़ाद🇮🇳 (@azad_nishant) March 7, 2023
Can we expect a similar endorsement on the occasion of Eid or Bakrid? Jagran must tell people celebrating Eid to cut one goat for the whole colony as it falls under animal cruelty.
Hindus have been witnessing such attacks on their festivals for ages but the involvement of the administration is alarming.
Now one can decide if Hindus are under attack or not.
