1 Held in UP's Bijnor After Viral Video Shows Holi Revellers Harassing Muslim Man, 2 Women on Bike

The Uttar Pradesh Police in Bijnor on Sunday arrested one person and detained three minors in connection with a viral video that shows a group of people celebrating Holi harassing a Muslim man and two women.

The video, which has been circulating since Sunday morning, shows a group of people forcefully splashing water and putting colour on a Muslim man and two women on a bike.

The 1.22-minute clip shows the motorbike being forced to stop, and the celebrators soaking the man and women despite their visible discomfort and protests. One of the men then rubs dark colour across the man’s face while others cheer, wishing them ‘Happy Holi’.

As the women voice their objections, someone can be heard saying, “this is a 70-year-old tradition.” Eventually, the trio is released from the ordeal, and the celebrators let them leave, shouting religious slogans as the bike speeds away. The men in the video can be heard chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.

Following the video’s spread, Bijnor SP Neeraj Kumar Jadaun instructed local law enforcement to take action. Investigation revealed that the incident occurred in the Dhampur police station area. The police examined the viral video and identified the individuals involved.

A case has been filed under various sections, including those related to restraining someone wrongly, causing harm voluntarily, and assaulting a woman. The police have arrested one person, identified as Aniruddh, and have taken three minors into custody in connection with the incident.

In a video message shared by Bijnor police on X, senior officer Neeraj Jadaun has urged people not to harass anyone during Holi. “Please don’t put colours on people forcibly. The police will take action against anyone breaking the law,” he stated.