UP cop stirs row: ‘Holi comes once a year, Friday namaz 52 times’

MEERUT/BAREILLY: In a peace committee meeting on Thursday in Sambhal's Kotwali, deputy superintendent of police Anuj Chaudhary said that there are 52 Fridays in a year, and Holi comes just once. If any Muslim feels that playing with Holi colours affects their faith, they should stay indoors that day. "If someone applies colour to them, they should not take offence and should have a big heart," he said.
The statement came to light after it was widely circulated on social media. "The way Muslims wait eagerly for Eid, Hindus too wait for Holi," he added.
The meeting, which was attended by city-based leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities, was held just days before Holi to address potential communal tensions during the festival.
Chaudhary had already been in the spotlight since the Nov 24 unrest during the court-mandated survey of Shahi mosque, following Hindu claims about the site's original identity as a temple.
He was also seen leading a religious procession in his official uniform while carrying Lord Hanuman's mace, which led to an investigation. Retired IPS officer Amitabh Thakur filed a complaint with the UP DGP, citing video evidence and reports of Chaudhary's actions. Thakur also pointed out a DGP directive that prohibits police officers from participating in religious events while in uniform.