VHP’s garba entry rules stir controversy in Maharashtra

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has sparked a row with its new guidelines for garba events in Maharashtra, aiming to allow only Hindus to participate.

The organisation said attendees must apply a ‘tilak’ on their forehead, tie a sacred thread (‘raksha sutra’), offer prayers to a Hindu deity, and have ‘gau mutra’ (cow urine) sprinkled on them before being allowed entry.

Prashant Titre, VHP’s Vidarbha general secretary, said VHP and Bajrang Dal volunteers will monitor garba pandals to ensure compliance during the Navratri celebrations, which begin on Sunday and end on October 1. The group argued that these measures are necessary to prevent cases of “love jihad,” a term used by some right-wing groups to allege attempts by Muslim men to convert Hindu women.

"Garba is not merely a dance but a form of worship to please the goddess. They (an apparent reference to Muslims) do not believe in idol worship. Only those having faith in the rituals must be allowed to participate," VHP national spokesperson Shriraj Nair told PTI.

The move has faced criticism from opposition parties.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut accused the VHP of trying to create a communal atmosphere. "Creating a communal atmosphere and this country is their livelihood. I am not talking about equal respect for all religions, but the way this poison is being spread does not behove Maharashtra or the country," he said.

Congress also condemned the decision, claiming BJP-affiliated organisations are using religion for political gain. "They want to divide us further and play politics over religion for their gains. This stance of VHP is not new. Their idea is to make the country unstable. They will go to any level by polluting the situation in the country to gain power. All the BJP organisations follow the same procedure... Unity in diversity has been Maharashtra's strength, it should not be hampered," the party said.

Meanwhile, some BJP leaders defended the VHP’s stance.

Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, "Every organising committee sets certain rules, and they have a right to do so. As long as they have police permission to organise the event, there is no problem." BJP media head Navnath Ban added that garba is a Hindu event and those from other religions “should not interfere.”

The guidelines have reignited debate over the role of religious identity in cultural celebrations ahead of Navratri.