UP Minister Raghuraj Singh Triggers Row With Holi Jibe For Muslim Men: 'Wear Hijab If...'

Uttar Pradesh minister Raghuraj Singh sparked controversy by suggesting Holi celebrants wear "tarpaulin hijabs" or stay home. He also demanded a Ram temple at Aligarh Muslim University.

Raghuraj Singh, UP Minister of Labour and Employment

Source : X [Twitter] | @ThRaghurajSingh

Uttar Pradesh government minister Raghuraj Singh has stirred up controversy after his statement regarding Holi. Raghuraj Singh, who holds the position of Minister of Labour and Employment in the Yogi government, said that those who wish to avoid colours on Holi should wear a "tarpaulin hijab". Speaking with ABP News, the UP Minister further added that Muslim men should wear the veil if they don't want to be drenched in Holi colours, and they should stay at home. He also stated that those who disrupt Holi celebrations have three options: jail, leave the state, or go to Yamaraj (the god of death).

Raghuraj Singh also mentioned that a temple would be built in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and that these individuals should learn to respect the majority community. He said, "I demand that a Ram temple be built at AMU. If it happens, I will lay the first brick. I am ready to dedicate everything for the temple there."

The recent comment comes after Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary's controversial statement, where he said that Holi comes once a year, while Friday occurs 52 times a year, as the second Friday of Ramadan and Holi fall on the same day. He further added that those who have an issue with colors should stay at home. The statement triggered a wave of reactions, including from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

Yogi government minister Gulabo Devi also expressed support for Anuj Chaudhary's remarks on Saturday, stating that festivals of all religions should be celebrated peacefully, without any communal tensions. She emphasized that the BJP government believes in celebrating all festivals—whether there are 12 or just one—peacefully, fostering a spirit of harmony and unity in society.