Holi 2016: Festival of colours remains subdued in some parts of Haryana

Colours of all hues, smell of 'gulal' and joyous spirit pervaded the streets as people from all walks of life in Punjab and Chandigarh on Thursday celebrated Holi with traditional fervour and gaiety.

The festival of colours was also celebrated in Haryana, though it remained subdued at some places, especially in rural areas of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Sonipat districts, in wake of recent violence during Jat quota agitation.

Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar said the state unit of the party had earlier decided not to celebrate Holi this year in view of the recent violence in the state.

All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), an umbrella body of all associations leading the agitation for Jat quota, had also announced not to celebrate Holi in the state to pay tributes to the youths who lost their lives during the protests in various districts.

In Punjab, revellers exchanged greetings, visited friends and relatives, gifted 'gujia' (a traditional sweet) besides smearing 'gulal' (colour powder) on each other's faces.

'Holi Hai' reverberated in the air as groups of revellers zoomed the streets on motorbikes while youngsters danced to popular numbers and children with 'pichkaris' chased each other and hurled water-filled balloons on people from rooftops.

Police personnel were deployed in both the states and Chandigarh to keep watch on anti-social elements, officials said.

The celebrations passed off peacefully. No major untoward incident was reported from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, officials said.