The transfer orders come at a time when the clean chit previously given to him by a committee headed by former IPS Amitabh Thakur has been revoked, and a fresh investigation was launched
NEW DELHI – Circle Officer (CO) of the volatile city of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, Anuj Chaudhary, was transferred to Chandausi on Saturday.
The transfer of the officer, infamous for his controversial, communally sensitive and polarising comments, came five months after large-scale violence rocked the city over the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid. The November 24 violence claimed the lives of five Muslims who were allegedly shot by the police, a claim the latter vehemently deny.
Alok Kumar, a 2022 batch IPS officer, will take over charge from Chaudhary.
Apart from CO Chaudhary, Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi has also transferred the officers-in-charge of two other key police circles. Alok Sidhu has been given charge of the Bahjoi Circle, and Dr Pradeep Kumar, the outgoing Bahjoi CO, has been appointed as the new Traffic CO, media reports said on Sunday.
Anuj Chaudhary made headlines earlier this year with his remarks on the eve of the Hindu festival of Holi. Chaudhary asked Muslims to offer Friday prayers at home and stated, “The festival of colours comes only once a year, while the Friday (Jumma) prayers happen 52 times in a year. If someone finds Holi colours to be an issue while going for prayers, he should stay at home until the celebrations end.” He added that people who come out should have a broader mindset and that festivals should be celebrated together in harmony.
It was this particular remark — “Holi comes once and Jumma 52 times” — which became the focal point of the backlash against him.
However, the remarks got the backing of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who attributed them to Chaudhary’s background as a wrestler. “He is an Olympian, an Arjuna Awardee, and a former wrestler. A wrestler speaks like a wrestler. Some people may feel offended by his words, but the truth is the truth, and we must accept it,” Yogi had said then.
Yogi’s support sparked a political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress accusing the BJP-led government of resorting to divisive politics and undermining religious harmony. SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav even accused Chaudhary of instigating the communal violence in Sambhal. “What can you expect from a cop who incited people during the violence? Such people will be in jails whenever there is a change of regime,” Yadav had said.
Chaudhary’s transfer orders come at a time when the clean chit previously given to him by a committee headed by former IPS Amitabh Thakur has been revoked, and a fresh investigation was launched.
Controversies never cease to exist whenever Chaudhary is around. In January this year, he ruffled many a feather after a video surfaced showing him participating in a religious procession while in uniform, holding a mace associated with Lord Hanuman. The incident sparked debates about his neutrality as a police officer. In response to widespread criticism, authorities issued him a notice seeking a formal explanation.
