By Vishwapati
Patna: During the budget session of the Bihar Assembly, a contentious statement has ignited a political firestorm. At the centre of the controversy is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, who advised members of the Muslim community to remain indoors on the day of Holi. His remarks have stirred significant debate within political circles and among the general public.
Bachaul stated that Muslims should stay at home on Holi, particularly this year as the festival coincides with Friday, a sacred day for Muslims known as ‘Juma’. He added, “Juma comes 52 times a year, but Holi comes only once a year. This festival of colours is one of enthusiasm and excitement. If Muslim brothers consider colours inappropriate, they should remain at home. However, if they choose to go out, they should be prepared to accept being coloured without objection.”
The MLA further remarked that while Muslims profit from selling festival-related items, they object to being coloured during the celebrations. He emphasised that Muslims should only venture out if they are comfortable with the possibility of being coloured.
The statement has drawn sharp criticism from various political parties and social organisations. Opposition leaders, including those from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties, have accused Bachaul of sowing division and escalating communal tensions. They have demanded that the BJP clarify its stance on the matter and take disciplinary action against the MLA.
Leaders of the Muslim community have also strongly condemned the remarks, labelling them as hate-mongering. They argued that India has a long tradition of celebrating festivals with mutual respect and harmony, and such statements only serve to disrupt social cohesion. Muslim religious leaders urged the public to ignore provocative comments and maintain peace.
In response to the escalating tensions, the state administration has appealed for calm, reiterating its commitment to maintaining law and order. Officials have warned that any attempts to disrupt peace will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, expressed outrage over Bachaul’s remarks. He criticised the BJP MLA, stating, “Who is this Bachaul? This is not his father’s rule. This is Bihar, and Bihar has seen many like him. Such people should be jailed, but the Chief Minister lacks the courage to do so.” Yadav accused the BJP of promoting divisive figures and vowed to protect the state’s communal harmony, asserting that the RJD would resist any attempts to disrupt peace.
The controversy has overshadowed the spirit of Holi, a festival traditionally associated with love and brotherhood. Political analysts warn that such statements risk damaging the social fabric and undermining the peaceful coexistence of communities. They stress the importance of respecting religious sentiments and ensuring that everyone can celebrate their festivals without fear or prejudice.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
