India
Amruta Fadnavis Rejects VHP's Bid to Exclude Muslims from Navratri Garba Events
Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has spoken out against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) call to bar Muslims from participating in garba and dandiya events during Navratri, stating that festivals should be inclusive for all.
Her comments follow the VHP's announcement that Muslims would not be permitted to join garba and dandiya celebrations across Maharashtra during Navratri, which starts on October 11. The organisation has also issued guidelines instructing event organisers to verify participants' religious identity, including checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on foreheads.
"If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it," Fadnavis told reporters.
Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has supported the VHP's stance, claiming that incidents of "love jihad" increase during such festive occasions. In an interview with PTI Videos, Rane said garba attendees should verify their identity and recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being granted entry. "Those who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events," he said. Rane further argued that restrictions on DJ sound systems, which apply during Ganesh festival celebrations, should also be enforced during Eid processions.
The term "love jihad" refers to an unproven conspiracy theory alleging that Muslim men deliberately target women from other faiths for relationships intended to convert them to Islam.
Actor Shreyas Talpade also criticised the move to exclude Muslims from Navratri festivities, saying, "We have been enjoying all festivals together for so many years... I have always enjoyed every festival to the fullest, and I will continue to do so."
VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair defended the organisation's decision, saying it aims to prevent Muslims from taking part in garba and dandiya dances during Navratri. "Navratri is not just about songs and dance. The festival is about worshipping the Goddess. Why should Muslims, who are against idol worship, participate in the festival?" Nair said, according to PTI.
Nair maintained that the restrictions were not targeted at any specific community but were precautionary measures to preserve what the VHP considers the cultural essence of Hindu festivals. He added that the organisation remains firm on its core positions regarding religious conversion and cow slaughter, viewing such festivals as an essential part of Hindu cultural heritage that must not be diluted.