NEW DELHI: BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur on Wednesday slammed Darbhanga mayor Anjum Ara over her Holi advisory, accusing her of having a “terrorist mentality” and a family history to match.
He asserted that Holi celebrations would continue without interruption and warned of strict action against any attempts to disrupt the festival.
“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,” Thakur said.
His remarks came in response to a statement by mayor Anjum Ara, who had appealed for a two-hour break in Holi celebrations on March 14, which coincides with Friday prayers during Ramzan.
In her statement, Ara urged residents to pause Holi festivities from 12:30pm to 2:00pm, saying, “Jumma time cannot be extended, so there should be a two-hour break on Holi.”
She also requested that those celebrating Holi maintain distance from mosques and places of prayer during this time.
The district administration issued the statement following a peace committee meeting ahead of the festival.
Reflecting on Darbhanga mayor’s statement on Holi, Bihar minister and JDU leader Shrawan Kumar said: “If somebody who is sitting on constitutional post is making such a statement, then the power that she has is of no use. The country runs through the Constitution, law, and they allow the celebration of festivals. So everything is as per law in Bihar. There should be dignified language so that nobody is hurt.”
Meanwhile, in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, circle officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary sparked row with his remarks during a similar peace committee meeting. On March 7, Chaudhary stated that those uncomfortable with Holi colours should remain indoors, specifying that Holi is an annual festival, whereas Friday prayers happen 52 times a year.
“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,” Chaudhary said.