Those who have issues with Holi colours should leave country, says Uttar Pradesh Minister

Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad faces backlash for suggesting those who have issues with Holi colours should leave the country.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal party president Sanjay Nishad on Thursday said that those who have a problem with Holi colours should leave the country. “People embrace each other during Friday prayers and they do the same while celebrating Holi. These festivals signify togetherness, yet some politicians don’t want this unity. A particular group is being misled by poisoning their minds, and they, too, are citizens of this country. If they have issues with colours, they shouldn’t just stay indoors, they should leave the country,” Mr. Nishad, who is Minister of Fisheries in the State government, said at a Holi Milan event in Gorakhpur.

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Many Muslim scholars reacted sharply over the statement with National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi accused the minister of creating division in society, spreading hatred, going against his oath and inciting people. “Sanjay Nishad is holding a responsible position in the State government his statement is highly condemnable. It must need to be strongly criticized. No one even a minister has the right to make comments that spread hatred or create division in the society. When the minister took the oath, he did not swear that those who avoid colours should leave the country. Instead, he vowed to ensure justice for all and work without discrimination,” Mr. Rizvi said.

Opposition leaders also targeted the U.P. Minister accusing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of indulging in competition about who can spread more hatred in society through statements.

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“Among NDA leaders, a competition is ongoing that who can spread more hatred in society and create division, such comment goes against basic ethos of our plural society. People in our country lived side by side and celebrated Holi and Eid together in harmony since ages, it is not the first time that these festivals are being celebrated. Uttar Pradesh is the land of Awadh, where the most famous song of Holi was written by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh,” Shahnawaz Alam, National Secretary of Congress Party, said.