‘Festivals are inclusive, if Muslim comes to garba...’: CM Fadnavis’s wife Amruta contests VHP ban
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with his wife Amruta Fadnavis Photograph: (X)
The VHP said that Muslims would be barred from participating in garba and dandiya events during Navratri across Maharashtra. It also issued guidelines for organisers to verify the Hindu identity of participants by checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on their foreheads.
After the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s call to keep Muslims out of garba and dandiya events in Maharashtra was contested by some people, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has said that festivals are inclusive and there is nothing wrong with Muslims attending the celebrations.
“There is nothing wrong with a Muslim person attending the celebrations. If a Muslim also comes and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong with it,” Amruta Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Her remarks come days after the VHP announced that Muslims would not be allowed to participate in garba and dandiya events in Maharashtra during Navratri, which begins on October 11.
Minister Nitish Rane backs VHP’s call
Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane backed the VHP’s call, alleging that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such celebrations.
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Rane supported the VHP’s decision and said those attending garba events should undergo identity verification and chant the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry.
“Those who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events. Those coming for garba should show their identity and chant the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry,” Rane said.
He alleged that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such celebration of festivals. The term ‘love jihad’ is used by some groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure women from other religions into relationships with the aim of converting them to Islam.
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Rane also said rules governing the use of sound systems, popularly called DJs, should be applied uniformly to religious processions.
“If DJs are not permitted during Ganesh festival celebrations, similar restrictions should apply to Eid processions as well,” he said.
VHP issued guidelines for organisers
The VHP stated that Muslims would be barred from participating in garba and dandiya events during Navratri across Maharashtra. It also issued guidelines for organisers to verify the Hindu identity of participants by checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on their foreheads.
VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said the organisation had taken the decision to prevent members of the Muslim community from participating in garba and dandiya events.
“We have taken a decision of not allowing participation of Muslims in garba-dandiya dance during the Navratri festival,” Nair said.
“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?” he said.
Nair said the restrictions did not mean the VHP was against any particular community and described them as precautionary measures to protect the cultural character of Hindu festivals.
“The VHP, which is unwilling to compromise on its core agenda of religious conversion and anti-cow slaughter, believes festivals are an integral part of the cultural legacy of the Hindus. And it cannot allow its dilution. However, it admits the restrictions are precautionary measures and not directed against Muslims or any other communities,” he said.
