Why Rajasthan police boycotted Holi’s celebrations

Rajasthan’s police personnel in several state districts were distanced on Saturday from Holi’s celebrations in support of their demands, including promotions and the elimination of salary discrepancies.

Image used only for representation. Photography: Ani photo

Former Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded that Prime Minister Bhajanlal Sharma intervene immediately in the matter and examined the demands of the police.

The cabinet minister, Kirodi Lal Meena, was also in support of the demands and said he would raise the problem with the government.

Traditionally, the police celebrate the Color Festival on the day of Dhulandi, since they remain committed to the duty of law and order on Festival Day. The day after Dhulandi, they meet in police lines to celebrate Holi.

As usual, Holi’s high level officers made arrangements for Holi celebrations in police lines throughout the state. However, the police lines in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and other districts remained empty.

In Kota, Bharatpur, Pali, Sawai Madhopur and Bhilwara, the celebrations continued with police playing Holi with superior officers, including SP, staining Gulales and Colors to each other and dancing with DJ music.

Kota Sp Amrit Duhan danced DJ’s beats with female police personnel. Similarly, in Bharatpur, SP Mridul Kachhawa played Holi with officers.

However, the number of police who participated was lower than usual.

In Bhilwara’s police, a Holi Milan ceremony was scheduled from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Superior officers, including SP Dharmendra Singh, played Holi.

The main demands of police personnel revolve around promotions and salary discrepancies. They are asking for timely meetings of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC) to guarantee promotions, similar to other departments, increase disorder allocation, among others.

“Holi’s boycott is to press for his long demands,” said a policeman in Jaipur.

In a publication about X, Gehlot said: ‘After contributing to the cheerful and peaceful celebration of Holi throughout the state yesterday, the police are boycotting Holi today. I call the Principal Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to immediately intervene in this matter and make a positive decision on the demands of the police to play Holi.

“The police are boycotting Holi today due to the pending demands before the Government such as the promotion through DPC, an increase in disaster allocation, weekly license, etc.,” he said.

“I request all the police to reconsider the boycott and celebrate the Holi Festival with their colleagues and family,” he added.

Meena in a publication on X said: ‘I request the state police to be what exists, I will transmit them to the main minister and fulfill them. I humbly request all police officers who are always committed to public service in adverse circumstances to celebrate the Holi Vedic Festival with full enthusiasm. “