By Amit Sharma
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday supported a Sambhal police officer who made a controversial remark that while Holi is celebrated once a year, Friday prayers occur each week.
A peace committee meeting was held at the Sambhal Kotwali police station on March 6, aiming to ensure communal harmony as Holi this year on March 14 coincided with Friday prayers during Ramadan. During the meeting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anuj Chaudhary said, “The festival of colours comes only once in an year while the Friday (for namaz) comes 52 times in one year, and hence I advise my Muslim brothers who think that colours on them while going for the Friday namaz will be an ungodly act should remain indoors until the Holi celebrations on the streets subside.”
While addressing an India Today conclave, Adityanath said the police officer may have spoken as a “pehalwan”. Chaudhary is a former wrestler and Arjuna awardee. Adityanath also thanked religious leaders for deciding to hold Friday namaz after 2 pm.
“We should respect each other’s feelings during festivals. Namaz is offered every Friday, but Holi comes only once a year. The namaz can be delayed, and if anyone is willing to offer Friday prayers on time (normal time of 1.30 pm), they can do so while remaining in their house. Going to the mosque for the namaz is not mandatory,” said Adityanath.
The Opposition in Uttar Pradesh and Muslim religious leaders expressed concern over the Sambhal police officer’s statement, alleging that officials in the BJP government under Yogi Adityanath are acting as agents of the BJP.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP and general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav claimed that it was Anuj Chaudhary who engineered riots in Sambhal: “What can you expect from a cop who incited people during the violence. Such people will be in jails whenever there is a change of regime,” he said.
Congress leader Aditya Goswami complained against the deputy SP with Muniraj G, Moradabad Deputy Inspector General (DIG). “The policeman is trying to wedge a rift and push up hatred among people in the name of religion. His statement was highly objectionable, which would only lead to hatred between the two communities,” he said.
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.