Jharkhand’s two ruling party legislators, including a minister, have been allegedly found violating Covid 19 guidelines on Holi prepared by the State Government.

The first is of State Labour Resources Minister and Chatra MLA Satyanand Bhokta, where the minister is found attending a congregation to observe the Holi Milan event at his constituency Chatra on Saturday and second is of Congress legislator from Barkagoan Amba Prasad playing the festival of colours without following necessary Covid 19 guidelines.

The Holi Milan function of two ruling party legislators viral on social media has come at the time when State Government has issued a fresh advisory for festivals Holi, Easter, Shab-e-Barat, among others in view of a sudden spike of coronavirus cases in the State. The Hemant Soren government had recently imposed a ban on procession and mass gatherings to avoid any possibility of coronavirus spread in the wake of upcoming festivals.

The participation of two lawmakers has given a tool to BJP to target State Government. The State BJP unit has demanded lodging of FIR against Amba Prasad for violating Covid 19 guidelines.

State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “The participation of Congress MLA in Holi Milan function without following Covid 19 guidelines speaks about the double standard of Government.  While on one hand State Government has asked people to celebrate Holi in their homes away from social gathering, a ruling party legislator is seen openly violating Covid 19 guidelines attending Holi festival surrounded by hundreds of his supporters.”

In a video posted on Prasad's Twitter handle, a gathering of the crowd and the MLA breaking the earthen pot (Matka) were seen.

The State BJP unit has demanded lodging of FIR against Barkagoan Congress MLA Amba Prasad for violating Covid 19 guidelines on Holi prepared by the State Government.

Similarly, the photos of the event, which were shared on social media by Satyanad Bhokta shows Bhokta and many others sitting close to each other and singing to celebrate Holi. In the photos, Bhokta is seen wearing masks but the others seen in the picture are without masks.