March 4, 2026
Streets across India erupted in color Wednesday as millions celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival marking the arrival of spring. Neighborhoods and public spaces filled with music — from traditional Holi songs to Bollywood hits — while children and adults playfully tossed colored powders, water balloons and water guns. Cities from Mumbai to Kolkata and Chandigarh showed vivid scenes of revelers smeared in bright pigments, exchanging greetings and enjoying seasonal treats such as gujiya.
National leaders sent festival messages. President Droupadi Murmu urged that Holi’s spirit of social harmony bring happiness and unity and support national development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings, saying the festival can renew energy and optimism. In Delhi, authorities stepped up public-safety measures: Traffic Police were posted at about 134 major intersections to deter drunken driving, and officials cautioned about the risks of consuming bhang, the cannabis-infused edible traditionally consumed by some during Holi.
Meanwhile, several major news developments were unfolding across the country.
Meta restricts Kashmir news pages
Several prominent regional outlets in India-administered Kashmir reported that their social media pages had been taken down by Meta, the company that runs Facebook and Instagram. Affected publications included Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Life and Rising Kashmir; access attempts reportedly produced notices citing compliance with a legal request under Indian law. The removals drew condemnation from local politicians. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti criticized the move on social media, urging platforms not to silence voices and calling on authorities to stop censoring the media. Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone also demanded the handles be unblocked, warning that gaps left by established outlets can be filled by unknown actors that may undermine responsible journalism.
Kashmir protests prompt extended school closures
Schools and colleges across the Kashmir Division will remain closed until March 7 after protests erupted following reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in a US- and Israeli-linked strike. Authorities initially ordered closures through March 3 but extended them amid continuing demonstrations. Officials said restrictions on movement and public assembly remained in parts of the region, with mobile and internet speeds still curbed and Srinagar’s Lal Chowk reportedly sealed. Thousands, many from the Shia community, have taken to the streets to mourn Khamenei; Shia-led demonstrations have also been reported in other parts of India. Shiites make up roughly 15% of India’s Muslim population.
Indian carriers operate flights to the Middle East amid airspace disruptions
India’s Civil Aviation Ministry said Indian airlines were operating extra flights to help stranded passengers affected by disruptions in Middle East airspace amid the wider Israel–Iran conflict. The ministry said 24 flights were being operated by Indian carriers on the day of the statement and that 58 flights were planned for March 4. Of the scheduled services, 30 were to be flown by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express. Since tensions escalated, Indian carriers reported 1,221 cancellations while foreign carriers logged 388 cancellations. The government emphasized safeguarding about 10 million Indian citizens living and working in Gulf countries as a top priority.
Live coverage noted
Reporting opened from Delhi’s Dharavi, where colors, music and gujiya set the scene for widespread Holi festivities. Alongside the celebratory coverage, reporters tracked developments in Kashmir, the air-transport adjustments for Gulf travel and the social-media restrictions affecting regional news outlets.