Holi, the joyous festival of colors, is meant to bring people together, transcending caste, religion, and class. However, in recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged: communal violence tainting the celebrations. What was once a time of unity has, for some, become a stage for aggression, religious tensions, and targeted attacks.
Recent reports from Holi 2025 celebrations in India indicate that communal tensions flared up in multiple states, leading to violence in several regions. Clashes were reported in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, where religious processions were allegedly targeted by mobs, resulting in injuries, property damage, and heightened tensions between communities.
One of the most severe incidents occurred in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, where a dispute over loud music during a religious procession led to violent clashes. According to police reports, groups armed with sticks and weapons took to the streets, and a young man named Ram Gopal Mishra was fatally shot. The police later arrested multiple individuals in connection with the violence.
Additionally, in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, several Holi celebrations were disrupted by incidents of stone-pelting, leading to injuries and the destruction of public property. Authorities had to impose curfews and deploy heavy security forces to prevent further escalation.
These incidents have reignited debates over religious intolerance and the increasing frequency of communal clashes during festivals. While authorities have urged for peace and cooperation between communities, political groups have also weighed in, further polarizing the situation.
Clashes During Holi 2024: What Really Happened?
Several states in India witnessed communal flare-ups during Holi this year. Reports surfaced of clashes in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar, where minor altercations escalated into full-blown riots. While Holi has historically seen isolated cases of misbehavior, this year’s violence had a deeper, more concerning communal undertone.
Uttar Pradesh: A Muslim family in Aligarh was allegedly harassed and forced to participate in Holi celebrations against their will. Video footage showed a mob surrounding their vehicle, smearing color on them, and chanting religious slogans. The family reported being attacked when they resisted.
Gujarat: In Ahmedabad, communal clashes erupted when a group of people allegedly tried to stop Holi revelers from playing near a mosque. Stones were pelted from both sides, leading to police intervention and multiple injuries.
Bihar: A violent clash broke out in a Muslim-majority neighborhood when a Holi procession reportedly played provocative songs near a mosque. The situation quickly escalated, leading to arson and multiple arrests.
The Political Angle: Who Benefits from the Violence?
This is not an isolated event. Over the past few years, Holi and other Hindu festivals have increasingly been used as a cover for attacks on religious minorities. Reports indicate that hate crimes against Muslims tend to spike during major Hindu festivals, with provocative rallies and hate speeches fueling the tensions.
In Aligarh and Sambhal, mosques were covered with tarpaulins before Holi as a precautionary measure to prevent disputes over color splashing. While authorities called it a peace-keeping effort, it reflects the underlying fear and growing communal divide in India.
The 2024 elections in states like Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana coincided with this spike in violence. Analysts suggest that communal tensions were used as a political tool to polarize communities. BJP-ruled states accounted for 49 out of 59 riots, with reports pointing to a lack of government action in curbing violence.
Experts believe that the rise in such attacks is fueled by right-wing political narratives that demonize minorities. A recent study found that nearly 75% of hate speech incidents in India occur in states governed by the ruling Hindu-majority party.
Human rights groups warn that unchecked religious violence could escalate further, making religious minorities increasingly vulnerable.
A 2024 report by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) noted that 84% morecommunal riots occurred in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the majority of these riots happening in states governed by the ruling party. Hate speeches, inflammatory rallies, and provocative acts during religious festivals are all part of a larger political playbook aimed at division.
Experts suggest that such communal incidents are not random but often politically motivated. With India heading towards another crucial election, many believe that religious polarization is being deliberately fueled to consolidate votes. Political parties and fringe groups have been accused of weaponizing festivals to deepen communal divides.
The Role of Social Media: Spreading Hate, Amplifying Fear
Social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter have played a significant role in amplifying religious tensions. Misinformation, doctored videos, and fake news about attacks on Hindus or Muslims spread like wildfire, often triggering real-world violence.
For instance, days before Holi, multiple posts circulated falsely claiming that Muslims were attacking Hindus celebrating the festival. Fact-checkers later debunked many of these claims, but by then, the damage had already been done. Online hate translates into real-life violence, and without proper regulation, this problem is only set to worsen.
Why Indian Muslims Do Not Feel Safe Religiously
In recent years, India’s Muslim community has faced growing insecurity, especially regarding their religious identity. Several factors contribute to this:
Mob Lynchings & Vigilante Attacks – The rise of cow vigilante groups and communal lynchings has made daily life riskier for Muslims, with many incidents going unpunished.
Religious Discrimination & Legal Bias – From the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) to bulldozer demolitions targeting Muslim-owned properties, legal frameworks are increasingly seen as biased against minorities.
Restrictions on Religious Practices – Protests over hijabs in schools, calls for bans on Azaan (prayer calls), and rising incidents of attacks on mosques indicate a growing hostility towards Islamic religious expression.
State-Sponsored Polarization – Right-wing political narratives and inflammatory speeches have emboldened radical elements, increasing instances of hate crimes.
Economic & Social Marginalization – With Muslims facing higher rates of unemployment and educational barriers, socio-economic discrimination adds to the overall sense of insecurity.
Impact on Communities: Living in Fear Instead of Festivity
Many of these riots erupted during religious celebrations, such as the Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, Saraswati Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Bakri Eid. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar were the most affected states, with Maharashtra alone witnessing 12 riots.
For many Muslim families, Holi is no longer a festival they feel safe celebrating. Reports indicate that in certain areas, they deliberately stay indoors to avoid potential harassment or confrontation. Likewise, many Hindus feel that their right to celebrate their festival without fear is being threatened.
The institutionalization of communal violence is evident in rising attacks on places of worship, such as calls for archaeological surveys of mosques and dargahs (including Ajmer Sharif). Legislative changes, like the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, have further deepened religious divides.
This growing distrust between communities is eroding India’s social fabric, making peaceful coexistence increasingly difficult. Instead of being a bridge between cultures, festivals like Holi are now being used as battlegrounds.
The Way Forward: Can Holi Be Saved from Hate?
If India wants to reclaim the true spirit of Holi, urgent steps need to be taken:
Strict Action Against Hate Crimes – Authorities must act impartially against perpetrators, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
Regulation of Social Media – Platforms must be held accountable for spreading misinformation and inciting violence.
Community Dialogues – Local leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities need to work together to prevent misunderstandings and restore trust.
Depoliticization of Festivals – Political parties should be banned from using religious festivals as a tool for electoral gain.
Better Policing & Preventive Measures – Increased police presence during festivals can prevent violence before it starts.
The Choice Between Unity and Division
Holi was never meant to be about aggression or hate. It is a festival of love, joy, andtogetherness. However, if religious tensions continue to rise, Holi risks becoming a festival of fear rather than celebration. The power to prevent this lies in our hands in the way we choose to celebrate, the narratives we choose to believe, and the actions we take to uphold unity overdivision. As India prepares for upcoming festivals like Ram Navami, there are growing concerns that similar incidents may occur again. While Holi should be a time of unity, for many Muslims this year, it became a reminder of rising intolerance and fear. The question remains: Will authorities take action, or will this dangerous trend continue unchecked?
