VHP Bans Muslims From Garba Events; Sanjay Raut Asks Mohan Bhagwat to Clarify Stand

New Delhi: Oppositions parties slammed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for asking organisers in Maharashtra to restrict the entry of Muslims at garba and dandiya events during the Navratra festival. The VHP reportedly issued guidelines asking organisers to verify identity of participants by checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on their foreheads to confirm their Hindu identity.

“Festivals bring harmony to society. In India, there is a tradition of people from other religions participating in each other’s festivals. People from other communities happily participate in Eid and Ramadan celebrations. However, the VHP and Bajrang Dal are deliberately targeting Muslims,” said Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Rais Shaikh, calling the move "unconstitutional fatwa".

The Bhiwandi East MLA asked the Maharashtra government to clarify its official stand on the issue and bar fringe groups from enforcing illegal bans.

“This is cultural policing by the VHP and Bajrang Dal. The VHP’s fatwa banning Muslims is against the Indian constitution. The state government should take note of this directive because such extremist positions could potentially create a law-and-order situation,” Shaikh said.

Similarly, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Clyde Crasto asked if Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government would take any action against the VHP.

"The question is, what is the BJP government in the state going to do about this? Are they going to be mute and allow the VHP to govern law and order in the state? They should prove to the people of Maharashtra that nobody is above the law of the land," Crasto said.

Congress MLA Amin Patel also mentioned that the VHP's call banning Muslims in these events is "unconstitutional".

"Festivals encourage communal harmony. We are often invited for dandiya and Navratri events out of goodwill. We also call members of other communities for Eid and Ramzan," Patel was quoted as saying by India Today.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised the VHP and even demanded Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to "issue a statement" in light of his recent speech on Muslims in New York.

"Muslims can't participate in garba events. Who says this? The VHP people who have become the maulavi (scholar or teacher) of Hindu people in the recent times. There is a tradition in this country. Even during the fight for independence, for the fight for cultural independence Muslims have played a big part. Your respected [RSS] chief Mohan Bhagwat, goes abroad, goes to New York, goes to London and delivers lectures saying in India there shouldn't be any difference between Hindus and Muslims whether it is political, social or religious. He said if someone doesn't want Muslims to be in India then we don't consider them Hindus. He talks like that abroad and here his children are behaving in this manner. Mohan Bhagwat should issue a statement on this. Otherwise one stance in India and another in New York won't work."

While addressing a gathering at Madison Square in New York on August 29, Bhagwat spoke about universal oneness.

"If any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in India, he will not remain Hindu. If you want to call yourself a Hindu, you have to believe that all paths lead to the same goal. Every human has dignity. There is no difference between human beings," Bhagwat had said.

As per the VHP, it is not suitable for Muslims to participate in garba events since it is a form of worship and not just entertainment.

VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair told India Today, "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?"

However, Nair suggested that the move is a "precautionary measure" and not directed against Muslims per se.

"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. The restrictions are precautionary measures and not directed against Muslims or any other communities," he said.

Further, Nair added, "The point is, why should we relax our guidelines for Muslims who don't subscribe to our religious beliefs and style of worship? 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."

Navratra begins on October 11 this year.

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