Spreading the message of humanity and peace, Jabalpurians celebrated the festival of colours ‘Holi’ with great enthusiasm in Sanskardhani. Amidst the vigilant eye of police on suspicious activities, there was no major crime incident or clash reported this year during the festival. Residents displayed traditional eagerness on the festive day. Since morning, people started coming out of their homes to greet others with colours. The colourful festival Holi is also known as ‘Dhuredi’, the festival of victory of truth over evil. The festival is also the occasion to welcome the month of Hindi calendar ‘Basant’. Keeping aside the pressure of their examinations, children enthusiastically played Holi and celebrated the festival with gusto. It was a happy experience for children who did not leave any opportunity to pour coloured water on people passing by. Almost every street of the city assumed different shades of colour with locals making use of dry colours ‘abir’ and ‘gulal’.

 

Several religious groups celebrated the festival in traditional manner with recitation of ‘Faag’ songs in ‘Keertans’ organised in temples at different parts of the city. Group of peoples came out from their respective localities to exchange good wishes with fellow residents. They also distributed sweets and played Holi. Amid the peaceful celebration of festival, the Police Department remained on toes to escape any inappropriate incident during the festival and strict enforcement of Election Model Code of Conduct for General Elections 2024. Adequate police force was deployed at all the sensitive parts of the city to forbid the use of liquor and other agitation. Police have made necessary security arrangements for maintaining law and order situation during the Holi festival throughout the district.

 

It may be mentioned that the festival of colours Holi is sensitive for major crime incidents and clashes. A number of clashes and other crime incidents are reported every year during the festival. One of the main causes of clashes is consumption of liquor and other narcotic substances for celebration of Holi. Along with putting up check on illegal sale of narcotic substances, police successfully restrained the anti-social activities along with rigorous checking of vehicles. The Holi festival was celebrated by various religious and social organisations in their own style.