New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Wednesday a plea seeking enhanced security and preventive measures in the Uttam Nagar area ahead of Eid, amid reports of threatening messages on social media. The petition, filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), warns that “blood Holi”‑style violence could be unleashed on the Muslim community during the upcoming festival.

A senior advocate, appearing before a bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, earlier mentioned the matter and drew the Court’s attention to inflammatory posts circulating online, including messages saying in Hindi: “Khūn kī Holi, hum Eid par khelenge” (“We will play a blood‑Holi on Eid”).

Noting the sensitivity and urgency, the High Court directed that the petition be taken up for full hearing later the same day, provided all formal objections on maintainability are resolved.

The tension in Uttam Nagar dates back to a 4 March clash during Holi, when an argument between two families escalated after an 11‑year‑old girl threw a water balloon that hit a Muslim woman. The fight left eight people injured, and 26‑year‑old Tarun Kumar later died from his injuries, triggering protests and heightened communal anxiety. Since then, police have registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In the wake of the murder, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on 8 March demolished illegal portions of a house linked to one of the accused, drawing criticism from petitioners who argued that such demolitions must not be carried out without prior notice.

Earlier, the High Court had recorded MCD’s assurance that no structures belonging to the accused in the Uttam Nagar case would be demolished without due notice, and disposed of that part of the litigation.

The current plea centres on the fear that the incident, which began as a personal dispute between two families, is being deliberately given a communal colour ahead of Eid. Residents and rights groups have reported that some social‑media clips and public speeches threaten that Muslims will be forced to “celebrate Holi on Eid” and that “pig carcasses” will be thrown at their homes.

The petitioners have urged the High Court to direct Delhi Police to step up patrolling, monitor hate speech, and prevent any targeted violence during the festival.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar