New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) In the wake of the Pulwama attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF men, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee and MoS External Affairs VK Singh did not celebrate the festival of colours on Thursday as a mark of respect to the martyrs.
However, the Union Home Minister did extend Holi greetings to the people of the nation earlier on Thursday.
Mr Singh had said on Tuesday that he would not be celebrating Holi in the memory of the Pulwama jawans.
On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also said that the party chief would not be celebrating Holi this time as a mark of respect to the Pulwama martyrs.
'The decision to not play with colours and celebrate Holi is a personal decision of the AAP chief, which does not have to do anything with his position in the government or party,” the party leader Nagendar Sharma had said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs General (retired) VK Singh on Thursday said he and his family will not be celebrating Holi this year due to the sadness after Pulwama and also the untimely death of Goa's CM Manohar Parrikar.
However, Mr Singh extended his wishes to the people on the occasion of Holi.
'My family & I are not celebrating Holi this year owing to the sadness that engulfs us in the aftermath of the Pulwama attacks and ManoharParrikar ji’s untimely death. However, I do hope that the year ahead is filled with the colours of joy and success for you and your family. #Holi2019,' Mr Singh said taking to the Micro blogging site Twitter.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri are also amongst the leaders who extended their greetings to the people on Holi, but did not celebrate the festival this year in the wake of the Pulwama attack.
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