Mehbooba Mufti accuses 'bigots' of turning Holi into a divisive festival

Peoples Democratic Party PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has accused some bigots of transforming the festival of Holi into a source of fear for minorities with what she described as the approval of those in power According to PTI Muftis remarks came a day after she warned that pitting Hindus and Muslims against each other could have dangerous consequences for the countryHoli for me has always symbolized Indiarsquos GangaJamuna Tehzeeb I fondly remember eagerly awaiting the festival amp celebrating it with my Hindu friends with immense joy amp enthusiasm However some bigots have now converted this celebration into a source of fear for minorities withhellip pictwittercomqYfDJxEsaNmdash Mehbooba Mufti MehboobaMufti March 14 2025The PDP Presidentrsquos comments were in response to recent controversies surrounding the coincidence of Holi 2025 celebrations and Jumma namaaz during the holy month of Ramzan Holi the festival of colours and the second Friday of Ramzan both fall on the same day this year leading to increased security measures in several cities to prevent any communal unrest as per PTI reportsTaking to social media platform X on Friday Mufti shared her thoughts on the situation Holi for me has always symbolised Indias GangaJamuna Tehzeeb I fondly remember eagerly awaiting the festival and celebrating it with my Hindu friends with immense joy and enthusiasm she wroteHowever she expressed her concern that the festivals traditional spirit of unity and harmony was being threatened Some bigots have now converted this celebration into a source of fear for minorities with the approval of those in power Its time to wake up India Wishing everyone a Happy Holi Mufti posted on XOn Thursday she had raised alarm over the rising communal tensions in the country According to PTI she stated that the atmosphere in India was being deliberately disturbed by those attempting to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims Creating such divisions will have dangerous consequences for the country she warnedWhat have we made out of our festivals Manoj Jha questions precautionary measures for HoliRJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Friday questioned the need for precautionary measures during Holi and Jumma saying that similar situations in 2022 didnt cause any issuesSpeaking to ANI Jha said In 2022 too on March 18 Holi and Jumma fell on the same day and nothing happened These new exercises of making extreme statements are not right What have we made out of our festivals More than celebrating we are worried that no mishap should take place Is this how festivals should be celebratedHis statement comes as police officials take precautions to maintain law and order as Holi and Friday prayers during Ramzan coincide this yearEarlier today Sambhal Superintendent of Police SP KK Bishnoi on Friday addressed arrangements for Holi celebrations in Sambhal stating that processions for the festival will be permitted across the citySP Bishnoi further said that Friday Prayers would be offered after 230 pmProcessions for the Holi will be taken out Holi will be celebrated in all parts of the city before and people will play it before 230 PM Proper police deployment is in place I hope this Holi will bring happiness to all After 230 PM Friday prayers Jumme ki Namaz will be offered he saidEarlier in the day Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chowdhary led a flag march along with other police personnel to ensure the law and order situation in the districtThe circle officer Chaudhary said that the police are monitoring the situation through foot patrolling and drone surveillance We are conducting footpatrolling and drone surveillance he told ANI on FridayOther than police paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the districtThe mosques in Aligarh and Jama Masjid in Sambhal were covered with tarpaulin sheets as a precautionary measure following a decision by the local administrationOn Wednesday in view of security arrangements Sambhal ASP Shreesh Chandra said all ten religious places on the traditional route taken by the Holi procession would be covered so that no sentiments would be hurtAll 10 religious places that fall on the traditional route taken by the Holi procession will be covered so that no sentiments are hurt There have been talks and agreement between the two sides on this Chandra told ANIWith inputs from PTI