NEW DELHI: Hyderabad police have imposed restrictions for Holi celebrations, barring group movement of vehicles and throwing colours on unwilling persons. The move drew sharp criticism from BJP MLA Raja Singh, who on Thursday called it a “Tughlaq farman” (Tughlaq order).
According to the police notification, two-wheelers and other vehicles cannot move in groups on streets or public places if it disturbs peace, causes inconvenience, or poses a danger.
It also prohibits throwing colours or coloured water on unwilling persons, places, or vehicles, as well as smearing unwilling individuals in public areas.
The restrictions will be in effect from 6 PM on March 13 to 6 AM on March 15. Additionally, police have directed the closure of wine/toddy shops and bars (except those in star hotels and registered clubs) from 6 AM to 6 PM on March 14.
Raja Singh alleged the order was issued at the behest of the Congress government.
“I want to ask the chief minister and the police officials. During the 30 days of Ramzan, how people move on bikes and in groups during nights, is this not visible to Telangana’s ninth Nizam Revanth Reddy and the police officials? How much nuisance happens in Hyderabad during these 30 days?” he questioned. “Did they not get any idea to issue such a ‘fairman’ against those who do it?”
Singh further accused Congress of being “a slave to a particular community” and “anti-Hindu.”
He also likened Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to the “ninth Nizam,” saying his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao was the eighth.
“Nizam used to trouble Hindus during his era. Revanth Reddy is behaving like a copy of Nizam,” he remarked.
The MLA suggested that instead of imposing restrictions on Hindus, the government could have issued an appeal asking Muslims to cooperate for a day during Holi by staying off the roads.
However, he claimed the government chose to “take action against Hindus” and urged the CM to reconsider such policies.