India: One arrested after Holi revellers put colour and harass man, two women in Bijnor

The police in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor, on Sunday (Mar 24) arrested one person and detained three minors after a video, which has since gone viral, showed a group of Holi revellers stopping a bike and forcefully applying colour and pouring water on a Muslim man and two women. 

According to media reports, the incident occurred on Saturday (Mar 23) when a man and two women were on a bike on their way to the medical shop when they were surrounded by a group of youngsters. 

Subsequently, the Holi revellers were seen spraying water on the man and the two women. Amid protests by the trio, the group later poured buckets of water on them. 

The youngsters, in the nearly one-and-a-half-minute clip, were also seen forcibly applying colour on the man’s face and on one of the woman’s face. Eventually, the ordeal ends and the trio drives away as youngsters chant religious slogans at them. 

Bijnor police chief Neeraj Kumar Jadaun called on the local police to take action, soon after the video of the incident went viral. The local police identified the victims and lodged a First Information Report (FIR). 

The incident had taken place in the Dhampur police station area where the cops later identified and detained those involved. 

“Holi is an auspicious festival. Do not harass anyone, do not put colour on people forcefully. Action will be taken against people found breaking the law,” said Bijnor Police senior officer Neeraj Jadaun, in a video statement. 

The police have arrested one person and detained three juveniles.  

(With inputs from agencies)