BJP lawmaker urges Muslims to stay indoors on Holi, sparks row

Patna: BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachol on Monday stirred a political row by urging Muslims to stay indoors on Holi, which coincides with Friday prayers (Juma ki namaz) in many parts of the country this year. The Bisfi MLA also advised them not to sell colours (abir-gulaal) if they did not enjoy playing with them."I appeal to Muslims there are 52 jummas (Fridays) in a year. One of them coincides with Holi. So, they should let Hindus celebrate the festival and not take offence if colours are smeared on them. If they have such a problem, they should stay indoors. This is essential for maintaining communal harmony," Bachol said.The BJP MLA's remarks, made on the legislative assembly premises, drew sharp criticism from RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. "Bachol is tarah ka bayan kaise de sakta hai? Yahan ek Muslim bhai ki raksha 5-5 Hindus karenge," said the leader of the opposition, questioning CM Nitish Kumar's silence on the matter. "The CM is in a weakened physical state and his JD(U) is completely soaked in BJP-RSS colours. But as long as RJD leaders like Lalu Prasad are here, they (BJP) will not succeed in their agenda of creating a Hindu-Muslim divide in the state. The country believes in ‘Ram and Rahim'," Tejashwi said. "Where is the CM? Does he have the courage to punish Bachol?" he asked.Although Holi in Bihar falls on Saturday, as per the Hindu calendar – since Purnima (full moon) lasts till Friday afternoon and the festival is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra – Bachol's statement has triggered a political debate in the state, where assembly elections are due in Oct-Nov this year.Reacting to Tejashwi's criticism of Nitish, JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha accused the RJD leader of pretending to be a sympathiser of the minority community while misleading them for political gain. "The reality is that minorities were only cheated during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri Devi rule in Bihar. Only the Nitish govt is committed to protecting their rights," he said, citing various initiatives taken for Muslims in Bihar.Senior JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar attempted to downplay the issue, calling it Bachol's personal view. The rural development minister said the "Bihar model" was being implemented in the country's development and that everyone in the state was free to celebrate their festivals as they wished. However, Bachol's remarks provided the RJD with political ammunition to target the BJP and its allies.The Bisfi MLA's statement came soon after Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath supported a similar appeal by the circle officer of Sambhal, where a controversy surrounding an ancient mosque has recently taken a communal turn. Yogi backed the Sambhal SP, who suggested that Muslims stay indoors on Holi since juma (Friday prayers) occur every week while Holi is celebrated only once a year.
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