New Delhi : Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has strongly condemned the heinous act of covering 189 mosques with tarpaulin ahead of the Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh. The statement by senior UP police officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary from Sambhal, saying, “We have sent a clear message that when people play Holi, and if (Muslims) do not want to get colored, they should stay at home,” is shocking and blatantly communal. Even more alarming is that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister supported and reiterated this stance. BJP leader Raghuraj Singh went a step further by stating, “Muslim men wear tarpaulin hijabs to avoid inconvenience while Hindus celebrate Holi.” This situation suggests a dangerous nexus between Hindu extremist organisations and the police, using the communal card to spread hatred against Muslims.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has violated his constitutional oath to govern the state impartially, ensuring justice without discrimination based on religion, caste, or gender. SKM demands the immediate suspension and appropriate punishment of Anuj Kumar Chaudhary. SKM also calls for an unconditional apology from the UP CM and BJP leaders like Raghuraj Singh, who have tainted the great and historic spirit of unity among all religions in India.
SKM has consistently thwarted the RSS/BJP’s attempts to divide society. One of the most significant secular gatherings in recent times occurred during the historic farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders, where farmers from all religions, castes, and regions united against the Modi government’s anti-farmer and corporate-friendly policies. SKM will not tolerate the division of society for dominance and electoral gains and once again calls upon the people of India to unite against those spreading hatred. SKM calls for communal harmony and the protection of the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
SKM demands that the RSS clarify its stance on protecting minority rights in India. Just as the issue of minority protection has been raised in countries like Bangladesh—where the Hindu minority community recently faced attacks—it is equally the responsibility of the central and state governments, as well as the judiciary, to ensure the safety of minority communities in India.
The judiciary is the guardian of the Constitution and the law. SKM calls on the judiciary to take suo motu cognizance and take strict action against the acts of the UP police, the UP Chief Minister, and RSS/BJP leaders inciting hatred against minority communities. The judiciary must remain vigilant and prevent the unconstitutional and unlawful actions being carried out by the RSS/BJP.
Secular and democratic political parties and independent media have a constitutional duty to unite the people to safeguard the secular democratic principles enshrined in India’s Constitution and to uphold the national unity achieved through the great freedom struggle. SKM reminds political parties and independent media of their failure in fulfilling this crucial duty, which has encouraged religious extremists and radicals to instigate riots and terrorize minority communities. They must rise to the occasion immediately and protect the nation with their full capacity.
