Bihar BJP MLA asks Muslims to ‘stay indoors’ on Holi

PATNA, March 10: A BJP MLA in Bihar triggered controversy on Monday by urging Muslims to “stay indoors” during Holi, drawing sharp criticism from LOP Tejashwi Yadav, who urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to reprimand the legislator and file an FIR against him.
The remarks were made by Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, the MLA from Bisfi, while speaking to reporters.
“I want to appeal to Muslims there are 52 jummas (Fridays) in a year. The one this week coincides with Holi. So, they should let Hindus celebrate the festival and not take offence if colours are smeared on them. If they have such a problem, they should stay indoors. This is essential for maintaining communal harmony,” Thakur added.
When pointed out that Muslims observe Roza (fasting) during Ramazan and hold special prayers on Fridays, the MLA snapped, “They have always had double standards. They are happy to make money by setting up stalls selling abir-gulaal (coloured powders), but if a few stains land on their clothes, they start fearing dozakh (hell).” The comments drew a sharp attack from Tejashwi Yadav, who reminded Bachaul, “It is not his father’s rule (baap ka raj). There should be an FIR against him for trying to whip up communal tension”.
“But Bachaul should remember this is Bihar, where designs of RSS-BJP and Sangh Parivar have often been foiled. He thinks he can strike terror into our Muslim brethren. But ours is a land where every single Muslim would be protected by at least five to six Hindus”, asserted Yadav. (PTI)