By HT News Desk
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA in Bihar on Monday stoked a controversy after he “appealed” to the Muslims to “stay indoors” on Holi, which falls on a Friday during Ramzan.
“I want to 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,” Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, the MLA from Bisfi assembly constituency in Madhubani district, was quoted by PTI as saying.
When pointed out that Muslims observe Roza (fasting) during Ramazan and hold special prayers on Fridays, Thakur said,”They have always had double standards. They are happy to make money by setting up stalls selling abir-gulaal (coloured powders), but if a few stains land on their clothes, they start fearing dozakh (hell).”
RJD slams BJP MLA over remark
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at the BJP MLA, saying,”BJP MLA (Haribhushan Thakur) Bachol has asked Muslim brothers not to come out on Holi. Who is he and how can he say such things? Where is the CM? Does the CM have the courage to punish Bachol? This is a country that believes in ‘Ram and Rahim’. This is Bihar. He needs to understand that here five-six Hindus will protect one Muslim brother.”
Congress MLA Anand Shankar told PTI,”The way monsters would interfere in ‘havan’, ‘puja’ in ancient times, at present, such people are the people of BJP, they interfere in festivals, try to divide people on religion, caste, take political benefit, and that is how they function. This country runs through the Constitution and if it is so, they should not speak such things. I urge the CM to take cognisance and take action.”
This story was originally published in hindustantimes.com. Read the full story here.