NEW DELHI: Sambhal deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Anuj Chaudhary and other police officials celebrated Holi on Sunday, two days after the festival of colours was celebrated across the nation, including in the communally sensitive Uttar Pradesh town.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, Chaudhary and his colleagues are seen dancing to Holi songs, their faces and clothes fully coloured.
He was joined by district magistrate Rajendra Pensia, superintendent of police KK Bishnoi and others.
Recently, DSP Chaudhary, Sambhal’s circle officer (CO), was criticized over his statement that Muslims’ weekly Friday prayers are held 52 times in a year, while Holi comes only once each year. This year, Holi fell on Friday, coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Chaudhary, a former wrestler and a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna award, made the remark following a peace meeting between city based religious leaders from the Hindu and Muslim communities.
Sambhal has been on the edge since November 24 last year. That day, a clash erupted between members of the Muslim community and police over a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Jama Masjid’s whitewashing begins
Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Sunday began whitewashing the Shahi Jama Masjid on instructions of the Allahabad high court. The ASI also has the court’s permission to decorate the mosque with lights, but cannot tamper the religious structure.
In its March 12 order, the high court permitted decorative lighting of the mosque’s exterior, provided the ASI made no structural modification. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 8.
The dispute around the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid arose after a legal petition claimed the mosque was built over an ancient Hari Har Mandir.
It was this petition that led to the court-ordered survey during which the clash occurred.
