Mayawati calls for prioritizing law and order, criticizes misuse of officials

Mayawati criticizes misuse of officers in Sambhal, calls for prioritizing law and order and promoting religious harmony.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) criticized the misuse of officers in Sambhal, urging law enforcement officials to prioritize law and order.

Pointing to the clashing occasions of Holi and Friday (March 14, 2025) prayers during Ramzan, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister made a push for respect towards all religions and urged the State government and the administrative apparatus to promote brotherhood instead of politicizing the matter. She emphasized that this approach would benefit everyone.

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“As we know, Ramzan is on and the festival of Holi is coming up. Considering that, the government in Uttar Pradesh and other States should convert the occasion into one of brotherhood, which will be in the interest of everyone. Doing politics over any issue is not right. It is requisite to ensure equal respect for the followers of every religion. Using officers wrongly like in Sambhal is not right, they should focus on maintaining law and order,” Ms. Mayawati wrote on X.

Recently, Sambhal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anuj Kumar Chaudhary triggered an uproar by suggesting that Muslim community members do not leave home if they feel that their religion gets corrupted by the colours of Holi. “My straightforward message is that Jumma comes 52 times a year, but Holi comes only once a year. If Muslim community members feel their religion is corrupted by Holi colours, they should not leave home that day. If they do go out, they should have a big enough heart to accept that everyone is equal,” he remarked.

Sambhal, a town in western U.P., was on edge since November 24 when violence erupted during the survey of a mosque, resulting in the death of five people.