Holi, the great Hindu festival of colours, is falling on 14th March 2025. On this occasion I appeal to Muslims and other non-Hindus, particularly in Pakistan and Bangladesh, to celebrate it along with their Hindu brothers and sisters with great gaiety and enthusiasm.
Upto 1857 there was no communal problem in the Indian subcontinent. There were no communal riots before 1857, and Hindus and Muslims used to live together amicably, like brothers and sisters. They would help each other, and participate in each other’s religious festivals and occasions, Hindus participating in Eid and Moharram, and Muslims participating in Holi and Diwali.
Muslim rulers like the Mughals, Nawabs of Avadh, etc would also participate in Holi and Diwali.
In 1857 the great Mutiny broke out, in which Hindus and Muslims jointly fought against the Britishers. After crushing the Mutiny, the British decided that the only way to control and rule India was divide and rule.
As a result the British, through their local agents, injected the communal virus into our society, year after year, and decade after decade.
Consequently, Hindus and Muslims stopped participating in each other’s festivals.
The time has now come for people of both communities to see through this sham, and jointly combat communalism. One way to do that is by participating in each others festivals, as used to be done earlier.
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My earnest appeal to non-Hindus, particularly to Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh, is to celebrate Holi on 14th March with great gaiety, fervour, ardour and enthusiasm, thus striking a powerful blow at the communal elements and vested interests who seek to divide us, and sow discord, strife, and hatred among us.
Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
