Imagine being told that because Ramzan happens once a year, restaurants should stay closed all day, and those who eat in public are at fault. Or that women shouldn’t wear jewellery outside, as it invites thieves. Or that girls who don’t want to be harassed on Holi should just stay home.
Sounds absurd? Now, consider this: A senior police officer in Uttar Pradesh told people that only those with the ‘capacity to tolerate colour’ should step out on Holi. His words were not just casual remarks but part of an official peace committee meeting meant to ensure communal harmony, especially since Holi and Jumma fall on the same day this year.
What Exactly Did the Officer Say?
Those who want to play Holi should step out. Those with the capacity to tolerate colour, those with big hearts, should step out. Others should not come out unnecessarily.Anuj Chaudhary, CO (Circle Officer), a former wrestler turned DSP through the sports quota
This statement implies that stepping out on Holi means accepting colour, even if unwillingly. But does the law allow this?
What the Law Says
The Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956, clearly state that every government employee must treat all people equally, regardless of caste, creed, or religion.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Model Code of Conduct for Indian Police requires officers to be neutral and promote harmony among all citizens.
Former UP DGP Sukhkan Singh commented: “It is the duty of the police to ensure that no one is forcefully smeared with colour. Officers should regulate public Holi celebrations, not impose personal opinions.”
Another ex-DGP, Vikram Singh, added: “Police officers should never reveal their personal biases through their words or actions.”
What Did the CM Say?
When asked about the officer’s comments, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended him.
Jumma happens every week, but Holi comes once a year. If someone insists on offering Jumma prayers, they can do so at home.Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh
This contradicts Islamic teachings, as Friday prayers are meant to be performed in congregation at a mosque. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasised the importance of gathering for Jumma in multiple hadiths, making it an obligatory practice except for those who are sick, enslaved, or travelling.
A Dangerous Precedent
By comparing religious practices and suggesting one should yield to another, government officials risk violating constitutional secularism. If an officer or politician starts weighing the importance of religious events, where does it stop?
Historical context matters too. The Mughal emperors, including Akbar and Bahadur Shah Zafar, celebrated Holi alongside Hindus, as did Sufi saints like Bulleh Shah, who wrote:
“Holi khelungi keh kar Bismillah, naam Nabi ki ratan chadhi.”
(Holi will I play, in the name of Allah, with the Prophet’s name as my jewel.)
However, true harmony means celebrating festivals by choice, not coercion. The role of the police and government is not to enforce a religious hierarchy but to ensure everyone’s rights are protected.
So the real question is: Can the state be truly secular if it dictates which religious practice holds more importance?