Mumbai: Political and social controversy has heated up over the entry of Muslims into Garba and Dandiya events before Navratri in Maharashtra. World Hindu Council (VHP) has appealed to Muslims to stay away from Garba events. Along with this, some conditions have also been prescribed for the organizers like checking the identity card, applying tilak and tying the kalavo.
Maharashtra government minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has supported this stance of VHP. On the other hand, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra FadnavisAmrita Fadnavis’s wife has expressed a different opinion and said that festivals are meant to take everyone together and celebrate together.
What did Nitesh Rane say?
Nitesh RaneIt has claimed that incidents of alleged ‘love jihad’ increase during Garba and other Hindu religious festivals. According to him, the identity of the people coming to the programs should be verified.
Rane further said that people who do not believe in idolatry should not have the right to participate in Hindu religious events. He has also suggested checking the Aadhaar card and reciting Hanuman Chalisa before admission to the programs.
It is worth noting that the term ‘love jihad’ is used by some Hindutva organizations and activists to refer to allegations that Muslim youths are luring Hindu girls into love affairs and converting them. Such claims have long been the subject of political and social debate.
Amrita Fadnavis expressed a different view
Asked about Nitesh Rane’s statement Amrita Fadnavis Said that festivals are meant to unite people. There is nothing wrong if a Muslim person also attends the Garba event and enjoys the festival peacefully.
Amrita Fadnavis said that it is not right to stop a person of any caste or religion who wants to watch Garba or join in the celebrations and maintains peace. However, he said that rules should be followed in public events and care should be taken to ensure that no one gets in trouble.
VHP gives ‘directions’ to organizers
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is claimed to have issued some ‘directions’ regarding Garba and Dandiya events to be held across the state during Navratri.
These instructions include checking the Aadhaar card or other identification of the person entering the program. At the same time Tilak and Kalava have also talked about ensuring Hindu identity.
The VHP’s stand has sparked a fresh debate in Maharashtra on whether or not to grant admission to public or religious events on the basis of religious identity.
Different views even within the BJP?
The issue has come under more discussion because different opinions have come out even from those associated with the BJP.
Nitesh Rane has openly supported the VHP’s demand, while Amrita Fadnavis has expressed the view that there should be no general ban on Muslims entering the Garba. Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has also previously talked about celebrating festivals like Garba in a more inclusive manner.
The controversy gained momentum before Navratri
Amid preparations for Navratri and Garba-Dandiya, this issue has now become the center of discussion in Maharashtra politics. On the one hand, the VHP and Nitesh Rane are demanding strict identity verification at religious events, while on the other, some, including Amrita Fadnavis, are advocating for festivals to be open and inclusive.
Amid all this controversy, the watch will now be on what rules Garba and Dandiya organizers follow in the state and whether any official guidelines are issued by the government on the issue.
