PESHAWAR: The members of Hindu community celebrate their religious festival Holi here on Wednesday to welcome the season of spring and offer prayers for restoration of peace.

The main event in the provincial metropolis was held at Malik Shaadi Hall, Gulberg under the aegis of Rajput Welfare Society. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani and minority MPAs Ravi Kumar and Ranjeet Singh affiliated with PTI and JUI-F, respectively, attended the event.

The officials of different government departments including sports, Auqaf, and district administration besides the representatives of local government and elders of different communities also participated in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the lawmakers congratulated the Hindu community and said that all possible steps would be taken for the welfare of the people.

Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said that government was determined to extend full support to minority groups and resolve their problems. He said that non-Muslim communities had equal rights and they would also get representation in the provincial cabinet to focus on solution of the problems being faced by them.

Vishal Rajput, the organiser of the event, said that Hindus enjoyed complete liberty in the country. He said that members of his community from different parts of the province participated in the event.

“During the event, we offered prayers first for the welfare of the community, protection of the country and restoration of sustainable peace and then started throwing colours,” the participants said. They added that it was an attractive event to throw colour powder on each other along with music and dance.

The participants said that Holi had them become popular amongst non-Hindus as well because Hindus were inviting their friends of other faiths to the event to share love.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2019