As India celebrates Holi on March 14, 2025, a shadow looms over its festive spirit. BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur’s appeal for Muslims to stay indoors, mirrored by UP officials like Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, suggests exclusion rather than inclusion. Reports from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, of Holi revelers targeting a mosque further underscore this troubling shift. What should be a celebration of joy risks becoming a flashpoint for division.
India’s festivals have long been a tapestry of confluence—Hindus at Iftar, Muslims lighting Diwali lamps, and all joining Christmas festivities. This syncretism, beautifully captured in Amir Khusrau’s 13th-century qawwali ‘Aaj Rang Hai’, reflects a heritage where Holi’s colors blended with Sufi devotion to honor humanity’s shared spirit. Yet, today, radicalized actions threaten to unravel this legacy, forcing festivals into narrow religious confines.
Harmony need not be a casualty. Tejashwi Yadav’s response—“five-six Hindus will protect one Muslim brother”—echoes Bihar’s ethos of coexistence, offering a counterpoint to the rhetoric of segregation. Leaders across the board must take heed: festivals are not tools for asserting dominance but opportunities to bridge divides.
Holi’s vibrancy should symbolize mutual respect, not coercion. India’s strength lies in its diversity—let us ensure our celebrations reflect that truth, fostering unity over discord.
