Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary’s remarks on Holi celebrations have triggered criticism from opposition events, who accused him of bias and demanded motion in opposition to him.  At a peace committee assembly held on Thursday on the Sambhal Kotwali police station forward of Holi, which coincides with Friday prayers throughout Ramzan, Chaudhary mentioned, “Holi is a pageant that comes every year, whereas Friday prayers happen 52 occasions in a 12 months. If anybody feels uncomfortable with the colors of Holi, they need to keep indoors on that day. Those that step out ought to have a broad mindset, as festivals are supposed to be celebrated collectively.”  

#Sambhal– हमारे मुजफ्फरनगर के वासी संभल के दबंग CO अनुज चौधरी की दो टूक

जिन्हें रंग से ऐतराज, होली के दिन घर से न निकलें,

साल में 52 जुमे होते हैं और होली सिर्फ एक बार आती है।

होली को लेकर पीस कमेटी की मीटिंग में CO की सख्त चेतावनी…!@wrestleranuj @myogiadityanath #holi pic.twitter.com/BlNUl1RLgU

— विभोर अग्रवाल🇮🇳 (@IVibhorAggarwal) March 6, 2025

“Simply as Muslims eagerly await Eid, Hindus look ahead to Holi. Folks have fun by making use of colors, sharing sweets, and spreading pleasure. Equally, on Eid, folks put together particular dishes and embrace one another in celebration. The essence of each festivals is togetherness and mutual respect,” he mentioned.

He pressured the significance of communal concord and regulation and order, stating that peace committee conferences had been ongoing for a month at varied ranges to make sure easy celebrations. He additionally appealed to folks to respect one another’s sentiments and keep away from forcing colors on those that don’t want to take part.  

He reiterated that anybody making an attempt to disturb communal concord would face strict motion.  

ALSO READ | Protest At AMU Over Denial Of ‘Special’ Holi Event Permission, Karni Sena Warns Of Entering Campus On March 10

‘Officers Ought to Not Act As BJP Brokers’: Samajwadi Social gathering, Congress Slam Cop’s Remarks

His remarks, nonetheless, drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Social gathering spokesperson Sharvendra Bikram Singh condemned the assertion, alleging that officers have been appearing like brokers of the BJP.  

“The officers are imitating what they hear from the chief minister to remain in his good books. Motion ought to be taken in opposition to those that make such statements and overtly show their bias. That is condemnable, and officers shouldn’t act as BJP brokers,” Singh mentioned, as per information company PTI.  

Uttar Pradesh Congress Media Committee Vice Chairman Manish Hindvi additionally criticised Chaudhary, asserting that officers should uphold secular values.  “An officer, no matter who they’re, have to be secular; solely then can governance perform correctly on this nation. In any other case, it is going to result in anarchy,” Hindvi mentioned.  

He additional acknowledged, “If folks from a specific faith have expressed discomfort with enjoying with colors, the officer’s responsibility is to make sure that there isn’t any ambiance of concern or insecurity. There ought to be an association the place each Holi is widely known and Namaz is obtainable peacefully. Saying that Holi comes every year whereas Friday prayers occur 52 occasions and that those that dislike colors ought to keep indoors is a political assertion. Those that have interaction in vote-bank politics make such remarks.”

“As an officer, one can’t make such statements; in any other case, tomorrow they could say they’ll solely make sure the safety of Hindus and never Muslims. The assertion made by this police officer is extremely condemnable. I imagine motion ought to be taken in opposition to him as per the officers’ code of conduct,” he added, as quoted by ANI.

The controversy comes months after violence erupted in Sambhal’s Kot Garvi locality on November 24 final 12 months throughout protests in opposition to a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era Jama Masjid. The clashes led to the deaths of 4 folks, whereas a number of others sustained accidents.