‘We went to the police, but no action has been taken. We fear serious violence,’ says the lawyer representing the petitioner.
NEW DELHI — The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court, highlighting growing communal tension in the Uttam Nagar locality in the national capital following the killing of a 26-year-old man, Tarun Kumar, during a Holi-related dispute earlier this month.
The court agreed to urgently hear the plea seeking directions to prevent possible communal violence in the tense area ahead of Eid, tentatively falling on Saturday (March 21).
The matter was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, who agreed to list the case for hearing later in the day.
Senior Advocate Nitya Ramkrishnan, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that serious threats are being circulated, including calls to play a “khoon ki holi” during Eid.
“There are wide-ranging threats of violence on Eid. On social media, meetings have gathered saying ‘khoon ki holi hum Eid pe khelenge’. We went to the police, but no action has been taken. We fear serious violence,” she said, urging the court to issue immediate directions.
APCR, established in 2006, is a team of lawyers, social activists, and grassroots paralegal volunteers to achieve an egalitarian, just society by bridging the gap between law and justice. It offers free legal assistance, financial support, and spreads legal education through the organisation of seminars, workshops, and joint gatherings.
The petition in the high court also points to inflammatory speeches and posters circulating in the area, allegedly warning Muslims against celebrating Eid. Some messages reportedly call for Holi to be played on Eid day and threaten violence before prayers.
Tarun Kumar’s killing, according to the petition, was the result of a personal altercation between two families. It has since been given a communal angle and increased fear in the area.
The incident dates back to March 4, when a child accidentally splashed a passerby with a water balloon. Later that day, the victim was allegedly attacked and beaten to death. Since the accused belonged to a Muslim family, tensions escalated in the locality.
Residents have reported a climate of fear, with some Muslim families allegedly leaving their homes ahead of Eid due to safety concerns.
Jameel Ahmad, a long-time resident, was quoted by The Observer Post as saying: “We were very worried when large gatherings were held. We feared something might happen. Thankfully, the administration remained alert.”
He added that local communities had traditionally lived peacefully together. “If outsiders do not interfere, there has never been any problem between residents here,” he said.
The petition in the high court also points to inflammatory speeches and posters circulating in the area, allegedly warning Muslims against celebrating Eid. Some messages reportedly call for Holi to be played on Eid day and threaten violence before prayers.
The Eidgah in the locality is used by thousands of people every year, but residents are now uncertain if they will be able to offer prayers peacefully.
Earlier, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi demolished parts of a house linked to one of the accused in the killing case. When the action was challenged, the high court orally asked authorities not to carry out further demolitions.
