Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav targeted the Sambhal CO and said that if the government changes in Uttar Pradesh, such people will be in jail.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath supported Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary, who had asked the Muslim community on Holi not to step out of their homes if they felt that their religion would be corrupted by colors. Controversy arose over this statement of his.
होली साल में एक बार पड़ती है, जुमे की नमाज तो हर सप्ताह पढ़नी है…
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) March 8, 2025
आवश्यक नहीं है कि वह व्यक्ति मस्जिद में ही जाए, अगर जाना ही है तो रंग से परहेज न करे… pic.twitter.com/cTba047I8k
Speaking at a private news channel program, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “On the occasion of Holi, I believe everyone’s sentiments should be respected. Friday prayers (Juma) happen every week, whereas Holi comes once a year. This has been lovingly explained to the people and I thank those who have already issued a statement saying, ‘Let us celebrate Holi first.’ Holi is on March 14, people can play Holi till 2 pm and after that offer Juma ki namaz.”
CM Yogi further said, “Many Muslim religious leaders have also appealed to the people that Holi comes once a year, while Juma happens every week. Namaz can also be extended, it doesn’t need to be read at a specific time. But if someone still wants to read Namaz, he can read it at home. There is no compulsion to go to the mosque. If someone wants to go to the mosque, he should not avoid colors. And if he wants to avoid colors, it would be better if he stays at home.”
"जुमा साल में 52 बार आता है। होली साल में 1 बार आती है। मुस्लिम समुदाय के लोगों को यदि ये लगता है कि होली के रंग से आपका धर्म भ्रष्ट हो जाएगा तो उस दिन घर से न निकलें"
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) March 6, 2025
– अनुज चौधरी, CO संभल pic.twitter.com/kgv2K4Q4ut
Yogi Adityanath said that Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary has been a wrestler and has also been awarded the Arjuna Award. “He has also been an Olympian. Since he is a wrestler, his language is also the same. Some people may find it a little uncomfortable, but it is the truth and the truth should be accepted.”
Opposition leaders have reacted strongly to this controversial statement of CO Anuj Chaudhary. A Congress party leader has filed a complaint against him. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav attacked the police officer and said, “If the government changes in Uttar Pradesh, such people will be in jail.”
In his clarification on this controversy, Anuj Chaudhary said, “My simple message is that Juma comes 52 times a year, but Holi comes only once. If people of the Muslim community feel that their religion will be affected by the colors of Holi, then they should not go out of the house on that day. If they go out, then their heart should be so big that they consider everyone equal.”
