On the occasion of Holi, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev urged people not to consume ‘bhaang’ and instead to celebrate the festival in unity and brotherhood.
Talking to the media, he said, “Those who create a ruckus by getting intoxicated, I would like to appeal to them to celebrate the festival of Holi with peace and harmony and wish each other with colours full of love.”
According to the Yoga Guru, consuming ‘bhaang’ on Holi and then causing mischief with chemical colours is not a Holi tradition.
“Flowers are blooming all around in nature. Similarly, the colours of nature came in our lives too. Holi is not a festival of any kind of pollution and intoxication. People of all religions should celebrate the Holi festival together and maintain brotherhood among themselves,” Ramdev Baba said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the country’s citizens on the occasion.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Best wishes for Holi. May the colours of joy and enthusiasm always shower in your life. Wishing you all a happy and colourful Holi.”
In the Indian subcontinent, the Holi festival, which celebrates the spirit of inclusiveness and humanity, heralds the arrival of spring after winter. The festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil and is observed on two days: Holika Dahan and Holi Milan.
On the occasion of Shab-e-Barat and Holika Dahan on Tuesday, Delhi Police deployed drone cameras to monitor Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid and tightened security.
As both festivals were celebrated concurrently, elaborate security arrangements were made near Jama Masjid in the national capital. In India, Shab-e-Barat and Holika Dahan are widely celebrated.