NEW DELHI: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairperson Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday criticized the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, accusing him of creating “divisions between Hindus and Muslims”.
Mufti said that in the past, people from both communities celebrated Holi and Eid together in harmony. She warned about the negative impact of the division she believes is being spread by the government.
“The atmosphere across the country is deteriorating. Earlier, Holi was celebrated happily, and Hindus & Muslims used to celebrate this together, like they celebrate Eid. Now, the atmosphere has been vitiated, especially by the UP CM. The kind of behaviour that is being meted out to the Muslims is very wrong. This country used to be of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and Hindus & Muslims lived together happily. But now, they are spreading poison. The impact would be very bad,” Mufti said while speaking to reporters in Shopian district of Jammu & Kashmir.
‘Zia-ul-Haq created a similar communal atmosphere’
Mufti compared the situation in India to events in Pakistan under former President Zia-ul-Haq. She said that communal tensions created during his rule still affect Pakistan today.
“Zia-ul-Haq created a similar communal atmosphere in Pakistan once, and their country has still not overcome that. They are sowing a similar poison here as well. I pray to God to give them wisdom so that they do not pit Hindus and Muslims against each other…,” Mufti added.
With Holi coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramzan on Friday, and some BJP leaders and officials advising Muslims to stay indoors if they do not want to be colored, mosques in several districts of Uttar Pradesh were covered with tarpaulin on Thursday.
In response, prominent Muslim clerics in the state have adjusted the timing of Friday prayers, which will now take place after 2 pm.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogu Adityanath on Sunday had said, “If anyone wants to read the Friday prayers, they can do so at their home. It’s not necessary for them to go to mosque,” adding, “And even if they want to go to the mosque, then they must not avoid colours. The police official was telling them the same.”
Adiyanath made this remark while backing Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary’s statement. Chaudhary, while talking to reporters, said, “Holi is a festival that comes once a year, whereas Friday prayers take place 52 times a year. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi, they should stay indoors on that day.”