BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur on March 12 criticised the Darbhanga Mayor’s Holi statement, alleging that she has a “terrorist mentality” and a family history to match. He further warned that Holi celebrations would proceed uninterrupted despite potential objections and that strict action would be taken against those trying to disrupt the festivities.
“The mayor of Darbhanga is a woman of Ghazwa-e-Hind and a terrorist mentality; the family she belongs to has a long history of this. Holi will be celebrated all over the place; those who do not like it should avoid it. Where are the RJD, Congress and Communist people? Why have they become silent? They are trying to ignite a fire, and that fire will not be ignited, and the strictest action will be taken against such people; the Holi celebration will not stop. There will not be a break for even a minute… Holi will be celebrated in a grand manner,’ he said.
Earlier today, the Darbhanga Mayor released a new statement ahead of the upcoming Holi on March 14. This day coincides with the Friday prayers held during the month of Ramzan.
In the statement, Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara appealed to the city residents to stop Holi from 12:30 to 2:00; as she said, “Jumma time cannot be extended, so there should be a two-hour break on Holi.” The mayor urged that those playing Holi should maintain distance from mosques and places of prayer for two hours. She added, “Holi and Ramzan have been celebrated many times before and peacefully in the district.”
The district administration gave the statement after the peace committee meeting. Recently, Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, on March 7, said those uncomfortable with colours should remain indoors as the Hindu festival comes once a year.
A peace committee meeting was held on Tuesday at the Sambhal Kotwali police station in view of the upcoming Holi festival on Friday.
Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Chaudhary said that since Holi comes once a year and there are 52 Jummas (Fridays) in a year, people from the Muslim community have been requested to stay indoors if they cannot accept being coloured.
(With inputs from ANI)
