Mumbai Police says not to ‘Holi-cinate’, leaves internet in splits

The Mumbai Police on Friday issued a special Holi wish, urging people to stay safe during the festival of colours. 

They posted on their social media handles “Play with colours, not imagine them! We will catch you ‘red-handed’ otherwise”. 

Accompanying the text is an image of a marijuana leaf with the caption “Let’s Not Holi-cinate”. 

It immediately became a hit on social media, with many appreciating the creativity, and some even saying it is “gold”. Obviously, there are some commentators who’ve also had their fun with one telling the Mumbai police not to mind too much, it is Holi after all, indicating there’ll be some hallucination after all. 

One also told the police to catch him if they can. 

Also Read | Holi 2022: How to make natural colours at home

The Mumbai police have long been carrying out a crackdown on drugs resulting in increasing prices. Narcotic Control Bureau zonal director, Sameer Wankhede, said in 2021 “The demand in Mumbai is high for Mephedrone, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and hashish. However, major peddlers and suppliers are in jail. The supply and availability of the drugs went low. Resulting in increasing the risk factor and the price automatically rising with time”, as per the Free Press Journal.

Today, the Mumbai police have reminded people to stay responsible, probably referring to bhang, which is made from the leaves of the cannabis plant and traditionally distributed during Holi. 

Also Read | Table mat or wall art: Use your stained Holi clothes creatively

On the occasion of Holi, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have shared their wishes. The former spoke of “mutual love, affection and brotherhood” while the latter wished for “enthusiasm and new energy in the lives of all the countrymen”. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also wished Indian Australians on Holi and thanked them for their contributions to the community.

Holi marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated all across the country. There are some special customs, but in most cases, people of different faiths are welcome to partake in the celebrations too.