Opposition BJP has criticised Hemant Soren-led UPA government in Jharkhand over Congress MLA from Barkagaon Amba Prasad taking part in a Holi congregation at a village in Keradari block of Barkagaon Assembly constituency under Hazaribagh district on Monday in violation of the state government guidelines banning any kind of celebration and congregation at public places to contain a surge in Covid-19 cases.

BJP state spokesperson Pratul Sahdeo has demanded from the Hazaribagh district administration to lodge an FIR against the MLA.

“There cannot be one law for lawmakers and another for common masses. The state government had itself put a ban on celebrating Holi publicly due to increase in Covid-19 cases. Now an MLA of a party which is in the coalition government has celebrated Holi publicly in the presence of hundreds of people on Monday and till Tuesday no action has been taken. We would not let such double standards and would launch an agitation to force the deputy commissioner of Hazaribagh to lodge an FIR for violation of Covid-19 guidelines,” said Pratul Sahdeo.

Amba Prasad, 31, who is the youngest lawmaker in Jharkhand Assembly at the moment, had taken part in a matka phod (bursting of a an earthen vessel) done usually in Holi at Pahra village on Monday evening.

“The matka phod ritual is held every year and I was asked by the public to take burst the matka. I had followed all the precautions and there has not been a single Covid-19 case in the village where it happened. I would like to remind the BJP leaders that if FIR has to be lodged against me for violation of Covid-19 guidelines then I would also like FIR to be lodged against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah for addressing huge rallies in states like Bengal and Assam which has witnessed a spurt in Covid-19 cases,” said Amba Prasad.

Hazaribagh deputy commissioner Aditya Anand assured to look into the issue.

“I am not aware of any such incident for violation of Covid-19 guidelines and would check the facts and assure to take action if there is any violation of Covid-19 guidelines,” the deputy commissioner said.

The Jharkhand government had on Friday banned any kind of celebration and congregation at public places during Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Easter and Ramnavami festivities to contain a surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Significantly, on Monday, the state witnessed 155 Covid-19 positive cases taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 1,23,090.