My appeal to Muslims and other non-Hindus
By Justice Katju
Holi, the great Hindu festival of colours, is falling on 14th March 2025.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi&ved=2ahUKEwiPiY3kkYWMAxUVweYEHan7KJIQFnoECCYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3hvnsuSsUh6c-odmLG9qqH
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.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://scroll.in/article/711675/these-miniature-paintings-show-how-the-mughals-and-other-indians-royals-celebrated-holi&ved=2ahUKEwiWmamokoWMAxV0BDQIHcG8FVYQFnoECDgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Vt6Hd6y8mfRoIjmawF8bL
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sabrangindia.in/who-says-holi-just-hindu-festival-muslim-scholars-sufi-mystics-mughal-emperors-not-speak/&ved=2ahUKEwiYorLMkoWMAxUOMDQIHbGLC8UQFnoECDYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw17SyJWEbssanF6tWg6Wh_H
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/monarchism/comments/1bna9hc/emperor_jahangir_celebrating_holi_with_his_harem/&ved=2ahUKEwjoi770koWMAxVfLzQIHak7JCcQFnoECDoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3p5rCwcXs4zhlNCBilNwaV
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.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/pande.htm&ved=2ahUKEwjGxLvvjYWMAxVYCTQIHXhXDtQQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0xEE1ZHjsnDimppSQAu_uN
As a result the British, through their local agents, injected the communal virus into our society, year after year, and decade after decade.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.nation.com.pk/02-Mar-2013/the-truth-about-pakistan&ved=2ahUKEwjE7qavjoWMAxVYCTQIHXhXDtQQFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1ML5JkYj6yRZT6ZzqZWUmX
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.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://indicanews.com/justice-katju-united-holi-celebrations-will-help-kill-communalism/&ved=2ahUKEwi8tZXhjIWMAxXwITQIHYFwERMQFnoECCUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0N1581i0j41bPFPsgKd5uB
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://justicekatju.com/an-appeal-to-pakistanis-and-bangladeshis-2804ab1e138a&ved=2ahUKEwjmpqfSh4WMAxVOMDQIHZI4L6wQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1IRxHcQw-TVNiH-9_6roB3
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.
