“Bura na maano Holi hai”…. Is this just a friendly phrase to avoid offending someone? Or a license to do whatever and justify an inappropriate behavior? Holi is a colourful festival when everyone is supposed to drown their loved ones in colours and enjoy the day with amazing food. However, in the name of playfulness, people often step beyond their limits and do acts under the guise of festival of colours, which eventually hurt others and defy the legal boundaries. If you are confused about the legal part, we are here to explain every bit of it to make sure you and your loved ones remain safe during this Holi 2025.
How is Festival of Colours related to Crimes?
It is 100% true that Holi is a festival of colours, happiness and light-hearted meets and greets with the loved ones. However, people often believe that under the guise of this fun slogan – “Bura na maano Holi Hai”, they could act every bit carefree and do whatever they want to. This carefreeness, carelessness, or say insensitivity often leads them to commit crimes, sometimes petty ones, and horrendous the other times. Things get out of control when the festival of colors is misinterpreted as the festival of intoxication and drunkenness. Some news reports reflect a surge in complaints of sexual harassment and other crimes during the festival of colours in India. Instances like these often make people relate the festivities of Holi with surging crimes, forcing them to compromise on celebration.
Let’s have a look at which acts are prohibited by laws and should be avoided.
Crimes under the Guise of Festival of Colours
Hereunder, we have categorised the various offences as per Indian laws which are complained of with the authorities and can be avoided.
Offences Against Women
Outraging Modesty of Woman
When it comes to Holi, celebrating with the Bhabhis (brother’s or neighbour’s wife) is a common trend. It is all fine when everyone acts within their limits and only celebrates the festival of colors with those who are interested. However, there are some of them who do not want to accept a NO when they propose to apply colours and play Holi with these women. The denial and subsequent dispute in some situations leads some of them to assault women or even use force in the name of what started as applying colours in a friendly manner. Such people could be booked for assault or using criminal force for outraging modesty of a woman (Section 74 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).
Sexual Harassment on Holi
Most of the time, women are not interested in playing Holi with the neighbours. The main aim is to avoid any unwanted physical contact, subtle demands of sexual favours, obscene language, sexually coloured remarks, etc. While people often find all this a part of the festival of colors – Holi, there is no license in this regard. You can not take advantage of a festival to harass a woman. Any such actions may attract a criminal case under Section 75 of BNS.
Disrobing in the name of Holi
Tearing clothes, disrobing someone in the name of celebration is outrageous, but common in some places during Holi. However, one should be wary that Section 76 of BNS punishes anyone who commits assault or uses criminal force against a woman to disrobe her. Any person compelling a woman to be naked or forcefully disrobing her, even under intoxication, can be punished.
Rape
While everyone drowns themselves in Bhaang drinks while celebrating the festival of colors, some people seek to take advantage of the situation by having forceful sexual intercourse with a woman. There is no escape for such heinous criminals and a woman’s consent still holds upright even if she is in a drunken state. Taking advantage of such a situation may land a person in jail for at least 10 years, or even life imprisonment for committing rape under Section 63 of BNS.
Assault on Holi
Obscene Acts, Songs, etc.
Rang Barse, Balam Pichkari, Holi Khele Raghubeera are the most famous Holi songs over the years, and Holi does not seem complete unless they are played. However, under the guise of festival of colours, people often misunderstand that they got some license to do obscene acts in public, utter obscene words or songs near public places. BNS Section 296 restricts any obscene acts and songs in public and lays punishment for the wrongdoer.
Assault/Abuse
Saying “Bura na maano Holi hai” may be easy, but trust me….. Embracing bodily pain, fracture, hurt or grievous hurt with a smile is not. People assume that throwing water-filled balloons on strangers on the road is their fundamental right on Holi 2025. This is an eye-opener for you that it is not. Do not force anyone to play Holi, do not hurt anyone in the name of festival of colors, do not beat others just to feel good for a few minutes. If they approach the authorities with a criminal complaint, you will regret those few minutes of fun while hurting others.
Intoxication Offences on Holi 2025
Narcotics an Exception
While Bhaang drinks may be commonly heard of during Holi celebrations, you should be wary of whether it is legal in your place or not. While Bhaang is associated with the festival of colours, make sure the quantity used is permissible as per the NDPS Act. If you think any other forms of intoxicants will go unnoticed, be informed about what is legal and what is illegal. Mind you, prosecution in such cases is way more serious as compared to the few minutes of light-headed fun that you are seeking.
Drink and Drive
Holi is a colourful festival when everyone comes on the road in order to commute to the places of their loved ones. Some people also love drinking alcohol, Bhaang Thandai and like drinks to expand the scope of their enjoyment. Some people are over confident that even in a drunk state, they can drive on busy roads and sweep off. However, the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 makes drunk driving a punishable offence. So instead of enjoying the highs of festivities, you could end up in the lows of police custody. It is better to stay safe and hire a taxi in case your enjoyment is even a bit related to losing yourself in the abyss of intoxication.
Offence Committed in Intoxicated State
People often assume that the acts of an intoxicated person are among the general exceptions under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They won’t face any legal consequences even if they commit a crime. However, they miss out on the latter part of Section 23 which extends the exception only to the one who has been intoxicated against will or without any knowledge.
Adulterated Sweets
As much Holi is a festival of colors, it is also a celebration which accompanies a variety of sweets. With more demand, people find such festivals as the perfect moment where they compromise on the expenditure and quality of food by using cheaper options instead of real ingredients. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 lays several provisions to prevent food adulteration and punishes the wrongdoers. So, if you find that Bhaang drinks or laddus are a bit odd or adulterated, buraa bhi maano and do complain to the authorities.
Happy Holi 2025
Before parting ways to celebrate the festival, let us remind you that this post is not at all meant to dilute the festival of colors. We love playing Holi with our friends and family, and our readers are the most precious beings to us. The aim is to make sure everyone is safe and secure, the ones who may be scared of being assaulted in the name of celebration, and also the ones who get drunk and get out of control. Let us enjoy the festival with yummy food and amazing drinks with our loved ones all safe and secure, happily celebrating the festival of colors.
