Four people were killed in the violence that took place in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh on 24 November 2024. The violence had erupted when, following a court order, the Advocate Commissioner’s team along with the Hindu side had gone to Sambhal’s Jama Masjid for a survey.
The local administration is alert after this incident because this year on March 14, Holi and the second day of Ramzan are falling simultaneously.
Meanwhile, a statement from Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Choudhary is in the news.
Anuj Choudhary said in the meeting of the Peace Committee, “Those whose religion is being corrupted due to the application of Holi colors should not leave the house on that day.”
Criticism of the statement
While talking to the media after the Peace Committee meeting in Sambhal, Anuj Choudhary said, “Just as Muslims wait for Eid, Hindus wait for Holi. Holi day comes once a year, whereas Friday comes 52 times in a year. If someone feels that the colors of Holi corrupt his religion, then he should not leave the house on that day.”
He said that if someone leaves the house then his heart should be big.
Anuj Choudhary said that the administration will not tolerate any kind of mischief. Strict action will be taken against whoever tries to disturb the harmony.
There is a sharp reaction to this statement by Anuj Choudhary.
Criticizing Chaudhary’s statement, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand said, “It is not right for any officer to make such a statement. This is the effect of the unparliamentary language being spoken in the Assembly in UP.” In the state, neither the Muslims have any problem with the colors nor the Hindus have any problem with the Eid sevai. Everyone celebrates their festivals together.
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Congress has also criticized Anuj Chowdhary’s statement. Manish Hindavi, vice chairman of the party’s media department in Uttar Pradesh, said, “Any officer should work with impartiality. He should avoid any kind of caste or religious statements, hence model code of conduct has been made for the officers.
BJP says that such meetings are common before any festival.
State BJP Minority Morcha President Kunwar Basit Ali says, “When two festivals are falling simultaneously, the police hold meetings like this.” Both parties should celebrate their religious festivals with tolerance.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi of Bareilly-based All India Muslim Jamaat has appealed, “In those areas where there is a mixed population, keep the time of Friday prayers at 2.30 in the mosques, and there is no need to change the time of prayers in the mosques in the areas which are Muslim dominated.” The Ulamas and Imams of every city should pay special attention to these things.
Razvi said not to leave home during Holi.
He said, “If someone puts color there is no need to mess with it, go home and wash it off with water.” Water with such colors does not impure the cloth.
Maulana also appealed to the Hindu side, saying, “Do not throw color at any fasting Muslim or woman wearing hijab.” Explain the same to your children. Respect Ramadan Sharif.
Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi told BBC Hindi, “I have asked you to avoid making such statements, which may have the potential to disturb communal harmony.”
In this matter, Zafar Ali, the lawyer for the Muslim side in Sambhal, said, “I was not in that meeting. However, I have heard that such a statement has been made.” But I don’t want to react.”
Anuj Choudhary’s old association with controversies
Anuj Choudhary has been on the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police since 2012. He was recruited through sports quota.
Anuj Chowdhary has received the Arjuna Award. He has participated in many international wrestling competitions on behalf of India.
During the violence in Sambhal last year, when police officers were claiming that the police had not opened fire, Choudhary had said, “An educated man will be killed by such illiterate people.” We have not joined the police force just to die.
Before this, during his posting in Rampur, he had a heated argument with Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.
What happened in Sambhal?
Last year, four people were killed in violence in Sambhal. His relatives claim that he was shot by the police.
24 November 2024 Violence broke out when, following a court order, the Advocate Commissioner’s team along with the Hindu side went to Sambhal’s Jama Masjid for a survey.
But the Sambhal Police had denied the allegations of firing. While talking to BBC, DIG Muniraj ji said that the police used only pellet guns, tear gas, and non-lethal weapons.
When BBC asked the same question to Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar, he said that the police neither ordered firing nor any lethal weapon used.
Police claim that the people who died were killed in firing by the mob.
