Mehbooba says 'bigots' have converted Holi celebrations into source of fear for minorities
Srinagar (PTI): People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Friday said some "bigots" have converted Holi celebrations into a "source of fear" for minorities with the "approval of those in power".
This comes a day after she said pitting Hindus and Muslims against each other will have "dangerous consequences" for the country.
The PDP president was reacting to controversies linked to Holi celebrations and 'Jumma namaaz' of Ramzan coinciding on Friday.
In a post on X on Friday, Mehbooba said, "Holi for me has always symbolised India's Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb. I fondly remember eagerly awaiting the festival & celebrating it with my Hindu friends with immense joy & enthusiasm.
"However some bigots have now converted this celebration into a source of fear for minorities with the approval of those in power. It's time to wake up India. Wishing everyone a Happy Holi!" Mufti said on X.
On Thursday, the PDP president alleged the atmosphere in the country was being vitiated and Hindus were being pitted against Muslims.
This year, Holi and the second Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan are coinciding. Several cities have tightened security measures to prevent any untoward incident.
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Man launches attack with iron rod inside Golden Temple in Amritsar, injures 5
Amritsar, Mar 14 (PTI): A man wielding an iron rod went on an indiscriminate rampage on Friday here at Golden Temple, injuring two 'sewadars' and three devotees, police said.
The man was seen moving in the Guru Ramdas Niwas, also called Guru Ramdas Sarai, of the Golden Temple.
According to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Secretary Partap Singh, the man turned violent when asked about his antecedents and attacked the SGPC employees and the others.
Police said the man hailed from Haryana and was handed over to them by the SGPC after the incident.
The reason behind the attack is under investigation.
The three injured devotees had come to the temple from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala, while the other two were 'sewadars' of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Partap Singh said.
One 'sewadar' and a devotee from Bathinda suffered severe head injuries.
The injured were rushed to Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital at Vallah in a critical condition.
Partap Singh said the attacker and an accomplice of his were apprehended and handed over to the police.
In his appeal to the government and law enforcement agencies, the SGPC Secretary called for no leniency in taking action against the perpetrators.
