People need to respect each other's religions and festivals Union Minister SP Singh Baghel

Union Minister of State Baghel stressed that the authorities should check antisocial elements to maintain communal harmony during these festivals.

A controversy erupted after the Mayor of Darbhanga, Bihar, proposed that playing Holi should be banned between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm- a two-hour break during Holi celebrations on March 14, which coincides with Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramzan.

Following the outrage, the Darbhanga Mayor expressed regret for her statement on Holi and clarified that she intended to maintain peace in the city.

"I have expressed regret over my statement. From early in the morning, the people are calling me Bangladeshi and anti-national. My intention was for peace to be maintained in Darbhanga. But, if anyone's faith has been hurt, I express regret over my statement".

Responding to the Mayor's statement, Baghel told ANI "... No matter what anyone says, Holi celebrations cannot be restricted by time boundations... The only solution is to keep anti-social elements under check. People need to respect each other's religions and festivals... Holi should not be played against anyone's wishes..."

Meanwhile, Independent MP from Purnia Pappu Yadav said on Wednesday that people of every faith should be allowed to practice their religion.

He stated that both the Holi and Namaz have their place and highlighted the harmony associated with each festival.

"... No one can be stopped (from practising their religion), no matter what religion or ideology they belong to. As far as Namaz is concerned, the administration should decide the place to offer Namaz... Holi has its place, Namaz has its place... Both Holi and Ramazan are festivals of love and harmony..."

"No one's statement can have a bearing on these two festivals. Such kind of people are living in the society who do not have any understanding of Gita, Bible and the Quran," he added.