The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided to bar Muslims from taking part in ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ events during next month’s Navratri festival across Maharashtra, and also set “guidelines” for the organisers to verify the Hindu identity of participants.
These measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying ’tilak’ on their foreheads. The Navratri festival will begin on October 11.
VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said the organisation took the decision to prevent participation of Muslim community members in garba and dandiya events, arguing that the festival is centred on the worship of a Hindu goddess and is not merely a dance or cultural programme.
The opposition has asked whether RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat approved of VHP’s diktat. Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut slammed VHP, saying it should listen to the recent speech of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York and asked if they don’t agree with Bhagwat’s comments.
Congress MLA Amin Patel said calling for a ban on Muslims from Navratri events is unconstitutional. “We are often invited for dandiya and Navratri events out of goodwill. We also call members of other communities for Eid and Ramzan. This encourages communal harmony,” said Patel.
“Does VHP not agree with his (Bhagwat’s) comments on the cultural relationship between Hindus and Muslims? The RSS chief has said that Hindus who hate Muslims in India cannot be true Hindus. Now Bhagwat should express his views on this,” said Raut.
Maharashtra state minority commission chairman Pyare Khan said everyone has the right to celebrate festivals of one’s faith. “But saying that Muslims will not be allowed… Several organisations invite Muslims too. Festivals connect people, not divide them,” Khan said.
Clyde Crasto, spokesperson of NCP (SP), said this diktat from VHP is bound to disturb peace and harmony. “We live in a society where we have co-existed in peace and harmony. The diktat from VHP is bound to disturb it,” Crasto said.
Maharashtra: VHP bars Muslims from Navratri garba-dandiya events across Maharashtra; issues guidelines for organisers to check Aadhaar cards, apply tilak to verify Hindu identity; Navratri begins October 11; opposition questions if RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat approves; Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, Congress’s Amin Patel, NCP’s Clyde Crasto slam move as unconstitutional, peace-disturbing; VHP says festival centred on Hindu goddess worship, not mere cultural programme.
When festivals become fences, even dance loses its rhythm. Follow Dharmic News for more updates on Hindu community issues and social affairs.
