Amid the row over Holi celebrations in two important cities of Uttar Pradesh — Aligarh and Sambhal — the State administration is keeping a strict vigil as the issue gained political traction, with BJP MP Satish Gautam declaring, “No one can stop anyone from celebrating Holi inside Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). If any Hindu student faces trouble, I am there to help.”
Gautam insisted that no permission was required for Holi celebrations anywhere. When asked about the potential conflicts, he made a strong remark, saying, “Agar koi mar peet karega to usay oopar pahuncha diya jaiga.”
The Sambhal local administration has urged both Hindus and Muslims to respect each other’s sentiments and also appealed to people to avoid forcibly applying colours on those who do not wish to participate in the Holi celebrations. The controversy erupted after the administration slotted a time distribution for the celebrations of Holi after which the Namaaz can be offered.
AMU finds itself at the centre of a debate as Holi celebrations return to the campus amid controversy. Following demands from Hindu students and political pressure, the AMU administration has announced that Holi can be celebrated “freely” at the Non-Resident Students Centre (NRSC) Hall on March 13 and 14.
The controversy erupted when a right-wing group accused the University of denying Hindu students permission to hold a ‘Holi Milan’ function on campus, even as institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) allow Holi celebrations.
The demand for Holi celebrations was led by student leader Akhil Kaushal, who requested permission to hold an event at NRSC on March 9. However, AMU officials pointed out that university board examinations were scheduled that day, and March 10-12 were working days. Subsequently, NRSC Provost Professor Brij Bhushan Singh clarified that March 13 and 14-both holidays-were suitable for Holi celebrations.
“I think it would not be appropriate if any student comes and plays Holi on the campus on March 10, March 11 and March 12 as these are working days and there will be classes... March 13 and March 14 are holidays and everyone is welcome to play Holi,” Singh said.
While AMU maintains that Holi has always been celebrated informally on campus, political tensions have escalated. Local Congress leader and former Aligarh MLA Vivek Bansal accused the BJP of manufacturing controversy, stating, “Holi was always played at AMU. Why is the BJP trying to disturb communal harmony?”
AMU spokesperson Professor Vibha Sharma echoed this sentiment, saying, “The University has a tradition of celebrating all festivals. Special permission has never been required.” However, a senior AMU official recalled last year’s incident when external elements entered the campus despite a denial of permission and allegedly harassed female students. “We have since become cautious,” the official noted.
The controversy also raises a larger question - if Jamia Millia Islamia, another central university with a Muslim-majority student body, permits Holi celebrations without restrictions, why was AMU’s stance initially different? BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi questioned, “Why was there silence when Holi was not celebrated at AMU? Why was it restricted in the first place?”
While in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh Minister Gulab Devi on Saturday played down the remarks of a circle officer that Holi comes only once a year, whereas the Jumma Namaaz takes place 52 times a year and said in a democracy, everyone is entitled to an opinion.
The secondary education minister, who is the MLA from the Chandausi Assembly constituency (reserved for Scheduled Castes) in Sambhal district, also said all communities should celebrate their festivals together and maintain peace and order.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asked, “If officials who should not differentiate between people embracing each other on Holi and Eid speak negatively, how will harmony be protected under the rule of the divisive BJP?”
