The police officials from Rachakonda, Hyderabad City, and Cyberabad have issued a warning to the public regarding the violation of restrictions, emphasising that those who disregard the regulations will be subject to legal action under the provisions of the Hyderabad City Police Act
Published Mar 13, 2025 | 4:34 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 13, 2025 | 4:34 PM
Telangana police issue prohibition orders for holi festival celebrations (stock image)
Synopsis: The police departments of Rachakonda, Hyderabad City, and Cyberabad have issued routine orders for the Holi Festival, from 13-15 March, 2025, under the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli. The orders restrict throwing colours on unwilling individuals and vehicles and prohibit group movements of two-wheelers and vehicles that disturb public peace. Violations will result in prosecution under Section 76 of the Act
The police departments of Rachakonda, Hyderabad City, and Cyberabad, as their annual routine, have issued notifications prohibiting acts, including smearing colour on unwilling persons, during the upcoming Holi Festival celebrations, scheduled from 13 March to 15 March, 2025.
The orders have been enforced under the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli, and are aimed at maintaining public peace and safety.
The Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, G Sudheer Babu, has issued a prohibition order that will be in force from 6:00 PM on 13 March to 6:00 AM on 15 March, 2025. The order prohibits:
Any violations of these orders will be subject to prosecution under Section 76 of the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli.
Similarly, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner, CV Anand, issued a prohibition notice under the same provisions of the Hyderabad City Police Act, effective from 6:00 PM on 13 March to 6:00 AM on 15 March, 2025. The order includes the following restrictions:
Violators will face prosecution under Section 76 of the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli.
Cyberabad Police Commissioner, Avinash Mohanty, also issued a similar prohibition order for the period from 6:00 AM on 14 March to 6:00 AM on 15 March, 2025, in connection with the Holi Festival. The restrictions are identical to those enforced in Rachakonda and Hyderabad City.
Authorities have urged the public to comply with these orders to ensure a peaceful and safe celebration of the Holi Festival.
While they are routine annual orders, they comes at a time when a police officer is Uttar Pradesh made communally stirring statements, indirectly asking Muslims to stay indoors on Holi. The police officer’s controversial and communal stance was also backed by UP’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Holi this year falls on Friday, the day on which Muslims, who are currently observing their holy month of Ramzan, attend their weekly afternoon namaz in mosques.
While the orders seemingly mandate consent and prohibit any smearing of colours on unwilling individuals, BJP’s controversial MLA Raja Singh has taken exception to it.
BJP MLA Raja Singh objected, saying, “Ever since the Congress government came to power in Telangana, there have been attacks on Hindu temples. Restrictions are being placed on Hindu festivals. The circular passed by the police places various restrictions on the way Holi should be celebrated. This has been passed on instruction of the Chief Minister of Telangana.”
“I would like to ask the chief minister and the police this – the festival of Ramzan lasts an entire month. During this time, people roam freely on bikes in the night and in groups. Does Revanth Reddy not see this? Can the officials not see the nuisance that is caused during these 30 days?” he questioned
He further said, “Our congress is the slave of a particular section of society. Our congress is anti Hindu. Revanth Reddy is the 9th Nizam, with KCR being the 8th. And the Nizam’s work was to commit atrocities against the Hindus.”
“Why can’t the circular say – ‘Holi comes once a year. So Muslims don’t step out on one day. Hindus play Holi in the streets and if it falls on Muslim brothers, they should not be upset.’ If this was the circular, there would have been some sort of balance,” he concluded reflecting the same attitude displayed by the Uttar Pradesh police officer.
Police officials from all three regions have cautioned the public against violating the restrictions, stating that those who do so will face legal consequences as per the applicable provisions of the Hyderabad City Police Act.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
