India marks Holi, the festival of colours, amid tight security

Extra precautions taken in communally sensitive areas to reduce chances of conflict

- Nirmala Ganapathy

NEW DELHI - Millions of people in India celebrated Holi, but the festival of colours took place amid heightened vigilance in communally sensitive areas as the Hindu festival coincided with Muslims' Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

Holi is celebrated with people throwing coloured powder or water on one another and eating traditional sweets, food and drinks. The festival signals the end of winter, and celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Security was tightened across areas considered to be communally sensitive or those with a history of communal tension, including in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, at least 10 mosques along the route of a planned Holi procession were covered in tarpaulin and plastic sheets to prevent them from getting stained by coloured powder - a potential trigger for violence.

"This step was taken to prevent any religious sentiments from being hurt," senior police official Shreesh Chandra told reporters on March 13, noting that this was agreed upon by both the Muslim and Hindu communities.

However, inflammatory statements in the lead-up to Holi had ratcheted up tensions in the state.

Sambhal's Deputy Superintendent of Police Anuj Chaudhary said Holi came only once a year, and advised Muslims to stay indoors till the celebrations were over if they believed that Holi colours could affect their faith.