The Vishva Hindu Parishad will prevent Muslims from attending Navratri garba and dandiya events (Representative Image)
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MUMBAI: 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. 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. Congress MLA Amin Patel said calling for a ban on Muslims from Navratri events is unconstitutional. Clyde Crasto, spokesperson of NCP (SP), said this diktat from VHP is bound to disturb peace and harmony. This encourages communal harmony,” said Patel. 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. People go when they are called with love,” said Khan. They should prove to the people of Maharashtra that nobody is above the law of the land by immediately taking action against this diktat by VHP,” said Crasto. Every human has dignity,” Bhagwat said.
These measures include checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying ’tilak’ on their foreheads. 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. “We are often invited for dandiya and Navratri events out of goodwill. We also call members of other communities for Eid and Ramzan. “Does VHP not agree with his (Bhagwat’s) comments on the cultural relationship between Hindus and Muslims? “But saying that Muslims will not be allowed. Several organisations invite Muslims too. Festivals connect people, not divide them. If someone doesn’t want to call them, don’t call them. Nobody goes there forcibly anyway. “We live in a society where we have co-existed in peace and harmony. The diktat from VHP is bound to disturb it. The question is what is the BJP government in Maharashtra going to do about this? Are they going to be mute and allow VHP to govern the law and order in the state? “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 are leading to the same goal. VHP also issued guidelines for the organisers, including checking the Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak on their foreheads as measures to verify their Hindu identity. Download the TOI App.
Bhagwat, while addressing a gathering at Madison Square in New York, stressed the need for universal oneness and dignity for all people.