In a bid to maintain communal harmony in the region, Circle Officer (CO) of Sambhal, Anuj Chaudhary, made a strong appeal for mutual respect and reciprocation during religious festivals. His remarks, made during a Peace Committee meeting on March 26, emphasised the importance of maintaining balance in interfaith exchanges, particularly during Holi and Eid. However, his statements have sparked controversy, drawing sharp reactions from the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP).
During the meeting, CO Chaudhary remarked that if members of the Muslim community wished to serve Sewaiyan to Hindus during Eid, they should also be willing to partake in Gujiya during the Hindu festival.
“Our aim is that the peace and order of the place where we live should not be disturbed. So, everyone has faith in us… If you want to serve Eid’s Sewaiyan, then you will have to eat Holi’s Gujiya too,” Chaudhary stated. He further elaborated that communal tensions often arise when one group accepts gestures of goodwill while the other refuses to reciprocate. “Both sides should eat Gujiya. But here it gets messed up. When one side is not eating and the other side is eating, then brotherhood ends here,” he added.
Chaudhary’s statements come in the wake of his earlier appeal for communal harmony ahead of Holi, which coincided with Jumma Namaz on March 14. He urged Muslims to avoid stepping out on Holi if they did not wish to participate in the festivities, while also advising Hindus to respect individual choices and refrain from forcibly applying colors.
“Jumma comes 52 times a year, while Holi comes only once a year. If any person from the Muslim community thinks that his religion will be corrupted due to Holi colors, he should avoid stepping out of his house on Holi. And if he still wants to come out, then he should have a big heart not to be offended by the colors of Holi,” Chaudhary had stated.
CO Chaudhary’s remarks did not sit well with the Samajwadi Party, with senior leader Ram Gopal Yadav strongly condemning his statements. Yadav went a step further, warning that should his party return to power in Uttar Pradesh, CO Chaudhary would be jailed. He also accused the officer of inciting violence in Sambhal last year and unfairly targeting certain communities.
The Peace Committee meeting was convened by the local administration to discuss law and order measures for upcoming religious events, including Eid, Navratri, and Ram Navami. During the discussions, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra issued directives restricting public prayers.
“No prayers (Namaz) will be allowed on roads and rooftops. Namaz will only be permitted in traditional places such as mosques and Eidgahs. No new practices will be introduced, and the use of loudspeakers will be strictly regulated,” ASP Chandra stated.
Furthermore, officials warned that individuals violating these rules by offering Namaz on roads may face consequences, including the confiscation of passports and driving licenses. SP City clarified that stringent action would be taken against those found breaching these regulations.
To prevent any untoward incidents during the festive season, additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas of Sambhal. The administration has ramped up surveillance through CCTV cameras, drones, and local intelligence networks to ensure a robust security apparatus.
CO Chaudhary’s remarks and the administration’s directives have sparked widespread debate on religious harmony, law enforcement, and individual freedoms. While some have supported the appeal for mutual respect between communities, others view the measures as an overreach.
