By Scroll Staff
Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul on Monday asked Muslims to stay indoors on the Holi festival if they object to being smeared with colours, The Indian Express reported.
The Hindu festival of Holi falls on March 14 this year, and coincides with congregational Friday prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.
Bachaul said on Monday that Muslims should not take offence if colours are smeared on them on Holi. “If they have such a problem, they should stay indoors,” he said, according to PTI. “This is essential for maintaining communal harmony.”
The MLA from Bisfi constituency in Madhubani district added: “There are 52 Fridays, they [Muslims] can avoid coming out on Holi.’“
In response to the remark, Leader of Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take action against the BJP MLA.
“Who is this Bachaul?” Yadav asked, according to PTI. “How can he issue such a statement on Muslims? Does the CM have the courage to punish Bachaul?
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