‘Not The Same’: Weeks After Holi Clash, Eid Festivities Remain Quiet In Delhi’s Uttam Nagar

Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 13:36 IST

After Tarun Kumar murder in Hastsal village, Eid in Uttam Nagar is subdued amid communal tension, heavy Delhi Police and CRPF security, and Delhi High Court monitoring.

Weeks after a clash on Holi that led to the murder of 26-year-old Tarun Kumar, the atmosphere in the narrow lanes of Hastsal village in Uttam Nagar remains heavy ahead of Eid on Saturday, missing the usual festive buzz. Residents say the area is marked by an uneasy quiet, with a strong police presence keeping watch.

The incident that triggered tensions occurred on March 4, when an 11-year-old girl threw a water balloon from her terrace that hit a Muslim woman. The episode led to an argument between the two families, which soon escalated into a fight, leaving at least eight people injured.

Tarun Kumar, 26, later succumbed to his injuries. An FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Since then, the police have arrested 14 people and apprehended two minors in connection with the alleged murder of the 26-year-old. All of them are relatives of the Muslim family. In the aftermath of the incident, inflammatory social media posts and provocative speeches have continued to keep communal tensions simmering.

Eighteen-year-old Vaishali Kumar was seen standing outside her home selling sevvaiyyan, the fine vermicelli associated with Eid-ul-Fitr.

“It’s very unfortunate what happened. Every year, my parents sell sevvaiyyan worth Rs 10,000 a day in the run-up to Eid. This year, we have been selling around Rs 3,500 a day. People from nearby areas are not coming to this market out of fear," she said.

For seven-year-old Rabia Khanam, Eid has always meant the aroma of sevvaiyyan filling the lanes, markets lined with mehendiwallahs, and the usual rush of shoppers buying new clothes.

“There would be so much excitement… But this year, it’s just not the same," she said, seated inside her home in an area where tension has lingered since the March 4 clash that claimed Kumar’s life.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place by the Delhi Police for Eid, with riot control vehicles, “Vajra", and the logistics vehicle “Vikrant" deployed alongside local police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. Barricades have been set up at the entrance of every street.

The matter also reached the courts on Thursday, when the Delhi High Court directed the police and civil administration in Uttam Nagar to take all necessary steps to ensure a secure environment during the Eid celebrations. The court emphasised that the festival is meant “to rejoice" and said the authorities are duty-bound to prevent any untoward incident.

However, residents say that although the situation appears stable for now, a sense of tension still lingers in the area. As security personnel patrol the streets—an apparent effort to display their presence and reassure residents—locals and shopkeepers believe the festivities are likely to remain subdued.

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