Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 14 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim on Friday said he wanted to reiterate Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal that people should be happy for celebrations of different festivals and added that those who indulge in communal hatred should change their mindset for the sake of a united country.

Hakim said, 'Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says that people may have different religions, but everyone should be happy for each other. Ramzan also belongs to Hindus, and Holi also belongs to Muslims. All of us will celebrate Holi. All the colours mix together to form one colour, which is India. We are praying to God that those two or four people who are making mistakes also change their mind today.'

Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee took to X to post her greetings on Holi. 'Please accept my best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Holi. On this festival of peace, harmony and goodwill, I pray to God that despite the diversity of caste, race, religion and language, we should get coloured in the colours of mutual brotherhood and humanity on the festival of Holi,' her post in Hindi read.

West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have fallen on the same day, on Friday, and encouraged everyone to follow their faith and celebrate together.

Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, 'Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have come together. This is the culture of India. Everyone should follow their faith and celebrate together.'

This year, Holi festivities have coincided with the Friday prayer during the month of Ramzan.

A large number of people gathered at Shree Shyam Mandir, Ghusuri in Howrah to celebrate Holi, while the transgender community also celebrated the festival in Kolkata.

As the country marked the festival of colours and celebrated the occasion in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen.

'I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen,' posted PM on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday.

'Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness,' posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)