Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara Apologises For ‘Namaz Break For Holi’ Comment

Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara Holi Remark: Darbhanga's Mayor Anjum Ara has apologised for her "objectionable remarks" on on Tuesday about Holi and Namaz. She had said that Holi celebrations would have a break between 12.30 pm and 2 pm to allow Friday namaz. She has now apologised.

On Wednesday, she expressed regret over her statement in a conversation with ABP News.

Anjum Ara said that if anyone was offended by her words, she regrets it. "It was not my intention to impose a ban. It was only to ensure that Holi was celebrated peacefully in Darbhanga, as other festivals are. Ram Navami and Muharram have coincided before. The timing of the Muharram procession was changed then. Hindus also changed the timing of their procession. It was in this spirit that I made the statement."

The statement garnered the ire of the BJP and JD(U). Reacting to the "two-hour break" call during Holi for 'Jumma Namaz', Bihar Minister Shrawan Kumar said, "If somebody who is sitting on constitutional post is making such a statement, then the power that she has is of no use. The country runs through the Constitution, law, and they allow the celebration of festivals. So everything is as per law in Bihar. There should be dignified language so that nobody is hurt."