Garba events featuring Muslim influencer cancelled in Jaipur after Hindutva threats
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Two Navratri garba and dandiya appearances by Jaipur-based social media influencer Javed Ali Khan were cancelled after Hindu right-wing groups allegedly threatened organisers over his participation, raising concerns about religious exclusion at public celebrations in Rajasthan.
Khan, 31, who has nearly 900,000 Instagram followers, was scheduled to attend an event at Vinaya Resort and Retreat on Saturday and make a celebrity appearance at Molise club on Sunday. Both programmes were called off following objections from groups including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and Sanatan Suraksha Dal, according to organisers and Khan.
Ravi Patel, owner of Molise club, told The Wire that he received calls and messages warning of vandalism if the event went ahead. He also claimed police had cautioned him about possible trouble. Assistant Commissioner of Police Shiv Dayal Meghwal, however, said he was unaware of the opposition to Khan’s appearance.
Khan said he returned the advance payment for the earlier event to prevent financial losses for the organisers. He questioned the exclusion of Muslims from festivities and urged the Rajasthan government to address the growing religious divisions.
Sanatan Suraksha Dal founder Ravi Gouttam acknowledged that his organisation had opposed the appearances, saying its members had warned organisers that they would protest Khan’s presence. He also said the group was checking visitors’ identities at garba venues and insisting on religious rituals, including applying tilak and tying sacred threads.
The restrictions drew criticism from civil liberties activists. Kavita Srivastava, national president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, condemned the cancellations and called on the BJP-led Rajasthan government to intervene.
She warned that identity checks and threats at festival venues could create an atmosphere of fear, undermining the inclusive traditions associated with public celebrations.
The incidents have intensified concerns over attempts by religious organisations to restrict participation in cultural events on the basis of faith.