No welcome for spring: Holi forgotten as gloom descends on city

Hindus cancel celebrations in light of security concerns.

PESHAWAR:

Hindus in Peshawar were all set to celebrate Holi on Friday, but another bloody day in the city ensured red was the only colour on the streets of the provincial capital.

Celebrations for the religious spring festival were called off due to security concerns, said Hindu Balmik Community President Ramlal. Though Hindus from other parts of country observed the festival earlier, celebrations in Peshawar kept on being postponed in light of the grim law and order situation, he added.

The festival was finally to be celebrated on Friday at Kalibari Temple in Cantt area. However, the suicide attack on a Frontier Constabulary convoy near the temple which killed 12 people and injured 28 others resulted in the event’s cancellation.

“Hindus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) will not celebrate their religious festival, Holi, like other parts of the country to express sympathy with the blast victims,” explained Ramlal, who is responsible for arranging the event each year.



“We were very enthusiastic, eagerly awaiting the festival. But we cannot celebrate in such conditions,” he said, adding they will celebrate Holi once the situation improves. “Officials insured all necessary security. We had no threats and all the arrangements were made. But we could not hold the celebrations in this sad environment.”

Another elder from the community agreed there was no point in celebrating at a time when the entire city was engulfed in a pall of gloom. “Holi celebrates the colours of happiness and peace. We did not want to celebrate the happy festival in such an unhappy situation. It will create problems not only for the government, but also for the Hindu community.”

Also called the colour of festivals, Holi marks the beginning of spring and is commemorated by Hindus all over the world. In K-P, a function is held every year at the Hindu Balmik Temple.



All Hindu Rights Movement of Pakistan (AHRM-P) President Haroon Sarab Diyal told The Express Tribune they are not sure if they will celebrate Holi this year at all. “Everyone, especially the children, were really looking forward to the occasion.”

Diyal appealed to all religious leaders and the newly-elected pope to work towards restoring religious harmony across the globe. “Although there is disappointment over cancelling the celebrations, the message of brotherhood, peace and interfaith harmony – which is the slogan of the Holi festival – will not be stopped.”

Diyal also reiterated their earlier demand of handing over temples to Hindus. “There are 28 temples around the province, but only eight are open for religious services.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2013.