Colors on Hold: Holi Break Proposed for Friday Prayers

Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara has put forward a two-hour halt in Holi festivities to honor Friday prayers during Ramzan. She proposed suspension of celebrations from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm since Jumma prayers are non-negotiable. Ara further requested people celebrating Holi to keep mosques at a distance during the period so that everyone could live in peace. Her statement, however, generated controversy with the BJP strongly reacting against imposing any ban on Holi festivities. BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur lambasted Ara, charging her with a "terrorist mentality." The criticism did not deter Ara, who reiterated that her aim was to keep the city peaceful. The proposal comes a day after a peace committee meeting to see to it that harmony prevails as the city celebrates Holi and Ramzan simultaneously.

Source: India Today