The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued guidelines for garba and dandiya event organisers in Maharashtra during the upcoming Navratri festival to verify the identities of participants and exclude Muslims from attending. Navratri will begin on October 11, 2026.&nbsp;VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said the organisation had decided not to allow Muslims to participate 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.&nbsp;<h2>‘Check Aadhaar, apply tilak’&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The suggested measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak on their foreheads.Nair said the organisation decided to prevent members of the Muslim community from participating in garba and dandiya events, arguing that the festival is centred on worshipping the Hindu goddess.&nbsp;“We have taken a decision not to allow participation of Muslims in garba-dandiya dance during the Navratri festival,” Nair said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-probes-shameful-nasty-anti-india-racist-remarks-after-nepal-floods-1788705307336">Singapore probes ‘shameful, nasty’ anti-India racist remarks after Nepal floods</a>&nbsp;“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.&nbsp;<h2>Preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals</h2>&nbsp;The VHP has described the restrictions as precautionary measures to preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals. The move was not directed against any particular community, said Nair.&nbsp;“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.&nbsp;<h2>‘Muslims could organise celebrations at mosques, near residences’</h2>&nbsp;Nair also suggested that Muslims who wanted to participate in Navratri festivities could organise such celebrations at mosques or near their residences.“If Muslims are keen to participate in the Navratri festivities, they should come with their family members, wives and sisters. They should organise the Navratri festivals in the mosques or places of their residences,” Nair said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-war-may-drag-on-for-another-6-months-ex-us-defence-secretary-leon-panetta-1788699706418">Iran War may drag on for another 6 months: Ex-US defence secretary Leon Panetta</a>&nbsp;However, the VHP’s move drew strong criticism from opposition parties and the Maharashtra State Minority Commission.&nbsp;The opposition leaders have questioned their constitutional validity and whether the RSS leadership endorses the VHP’s position.&nbsp;Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut referred to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent speech in New York asking whether the organisation disagreed with his remarks on Hindu-Muslim relations.Addressing a gathering at Madison Square in New York, Bhagwat had stressed universal oneness and dignity for all people.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-wants-war-again-russian-fm-accuses-berlin-after-drone-incident-1788704526585">‘Germany wants war again’: Russian FM accuses Berlin after drone incident</a><h2>Minority Commission objects to exclusion</h2>&nbsp;Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan said everyone has the right to celebrate festivals according to their faith, but objected to a blanket exclusion of Muslims from public festivities.Khan noted that several organisations invite Muslims to such events and argued that festivals should bring communities together rather than create divisions.

The VHP-suggested measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak on their foreheads. The VHP has described the restrictions as precautionary measures to preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals. He said the move was not against any particular community.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued guidelines for garba and dandiya event organisers in Maharashtra during the upcoming Navratri festival to verify the identities of participants and exclude Muslims from attending. Navratri will begin on October 11, 2026. VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said the organisation had decided not to allow Muslims to participate 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. ‘Check Aadhaar, apply tilak’ The suggested measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak on their foreheads. Nair said the organisation decided to prevent members of the Muslim community from participating in garba and dandiya events, arguing that the festival is centred on worshipping the Hindu goddess. “We have taken a decision not to allow participation of Muslims in garba-dandiya dance during the Navratri festival,” Nair said. Also Read: Singapore probes ‘shameful, nasty’ anti-India racist remarks after Nepal floods “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. Preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals The VHP has described the restrictions as precautionary measures to preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals. The move was not directed against any particular community, said Nair. “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. ‘Muslims could organise celebrations at mosques, near residences’ Nair also suggested that Muslims who wanted to participate in Navratri festivities could organise such celebrations at mosques or near their residences. “If Muslims are keen to participate in the Navratri festivities, they should come with their family members, wives and sisters. They should organise the Navratri festivals in the mosques or places of their residences,” Nair said. Also Read: Iran War may drag on for another 6 months: Ex-US defence secretary Leon Panetta However, the VHP’s move drew strong criticism from opposition parties and the Maharashtra State Minority Commission. The opposition leaders have questioned their constitutional validity and whether the RSS leadership endorses the VHP’s position. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut referred to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent speech in New York asking whether the organisation disagreed with his remarks on Hindu-Muslim relations. Addressing a gathering at Madison Square in New York, Bhagwat had stressed universal oneness and dignity for all people. Also Read: ‘Germany wants war again’: Russian FM accuses Berlin after drone incident Minority Commission objects to exclusion Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan said everyone has the right to celebrate festivals according to their faith, but objected to a blanket exclusion of Muslims from public festivities. Khan noted that several organisations invite Muslims to such events and argued that festivals should bring communities together rather than create divisions.

The VHP-suggested measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak on their foreheads. The VHP has described the restrictions as precautionary measures to preserve the cultural character of Hindu festivals. He said the move was not against any particular community.

‘No Muslims, Aadhaar mandatory for entry’: VHP sets rules for garba-dandiya in Maharashtra

A recent Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in a Texas parking lot has stirred mixed reactions online. The event, held outside India Bazaar in Lewisville, Texas, USA, featured drummers playing festive music to mark the occasion. A video of the celebration, shared on X by Avi Dandiya, highlighted the gathering and sparked a heated debate.In his post, Dandiya expressed his frustration, calling the event a ‘public nuisance.’ He criticised the use of a commercial parking lot for religious festivities, tagging local authorities and police in the post. He emphasised that there are enough temples in the area for such celebrations and that public spaces shouldn’t be used for religious gatherings. Dandiya’s words raised concerns about the growing trend of similar events in public spaces, especially among recent immigrants.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-mumbai-to-hyderabad-5-unique-ganesh-idols-that-are-creating-buzz-this-ganesh-chaturthi-2025-1756386340320">From Mumbai to Hyderabad: 5 unique Ganesh idols that are creating buzz this Ganesh Chaturthi 2025</a><h2>Mixed reactions on social media</h2>The video quickly gained attention on social media, with many users divided over the issue. Some defended the gathering, seeing it as a vibrant display of Indian culture and tradition in the United States. They felt that immigrants should be able to celebrate their festivals and express their cultural pride in their new home. One user pointed out that in Texas, playing music in public and having small gatherings is not illegal, and the celebration should be allowed.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This public nuisance in USA is becoming a habit by recently immigrated Indians, which needs to be stopped and reported. This is parking lot of India Bazaar in Lewisville Texas <a href="https://twitter.com/LewisvilleTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LewisvilleTexas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LewisvillePD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LewisvillePD</a> I am sure these people have no permission what so ever, I request you to… <a href="https://t.co/1x85LJonP9">pic.twitter.com/1x85LJonP9</a>&mdash; 🇮🇳 Avi Dandiya (@avidandiya) <a href="https://twitter.com/avidandiya/status/1960154528495644731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, others criticised the event, arguing that such celebrations should take place in temples or private spaces, not in commercial or public areas. Some felt that the gathering lacked consideration for local customs and norms, suggesting that immigrants should adapt to the culture of their new country rather than bringing over traditions from their homeland.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in a Texas parking lot sparked online debate. While some praised the cultural display, others called it a public nuisance and raised concerns over civic norms.

A recent Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in a Texas parking lot has stirred mixed reactions online. The event, held outside India Bazaar in Lewisville, Texas, USA, featured drummers playing festive music to mark the occasion. A video of the celebration, shared on X by Avi Dandiya, highlighted the gathering and sparked a heated debate. In his post, Dandiya expressed his frustration, calling the event a ‘public nuisance.’ He criticised the use of a commercial parking lot for religious festivities, tagging local authorities and police in the post. He emphasised that there are enough temples in the area for such celebrations and that public spaces shouldn’t be used for religious gatherings. Dandiya’s words raised concerns about the growing trend of similar events in public spaces, especially among recent immigrants. Also read | From Mumbai to Hyderabad: 5 unique Ganesh idols that are creating buzz this Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Mixed reactions on social media The video quickly gained attention on social media, with many users divided over the issue. Some defended the gathering, seeing it as a vibrant display of Indian culture and tradition in the United States. They felt that immigrants should be able to celebrate their festivals and express their cultural pride in their new home. One user pointed out that in Texas, playing music in public and having small gatherings is not illegal, and the celebration should be allowed.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in a Texas parking lot sparked online debate. While some praised the cultural display, others called it a public nuisance and raised concerns over civic norms.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Texas parking lot sparks controversy; leaves Internet divided

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‘No Muslims, Aadhaar mandatory for entry’: VHP sets rules for garba-dandiya in Maharashtra

Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Texas parking lot sparks controversy