The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced a ban on the participation of Muslims in Garba and Dandiya events during the Navratri celebrations next month in Maharashtra. Furthermore, the VHP has developed a set of 'guidelines' for organizers, stipulating that they must verify the religious affiliation of program participants.
Among the measures established by the VHP is the requirement to check citizens' passports and apply a tilak on the forehead of those attending the event. Navratri begins on October 11th. This directive from the VHP has been challenged by the opposition, which questioned whether RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat approved this decree.
A VHP representative and Deputy Secretary Shriraj Nair stated that Navratri is a festival dedicated to worshipping the Goddess Navratri, and he questioned, 'Why should Muslims, who oppose idolatry, participate in this festival?'
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sanjay Raut criticized the VHP. He urged the VHP to review the recent speech by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York, in which he stated that 'Hindus who hate Muslims in India cannot be considered true Hindus.' Raut questioned whether the VHP agrees with Bhagwat's statements.
The Congress party also labeled this ban as unconstitutional. MLA Amin Patel noted that festivals promote community harmony. He added that he is often invited to Dandiya and Navratri events as a gesture of goodwill, and that he himself invites representatives from other communities on occasions like Eid and Ramadan.
NCP (SP) representative Clyde Krasto stated that the VHP's directive will negatively affect peace and concord. He addressed the state government, asking what it would do about the matter. He questioned whether the government would stand aside, allowing the VHP to manage law and order in the state, and emphasized that the residents of Maharashtra should demonstrate that the law is supreme.
Chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, Pierre Khan, stated that every person has the right to celebrate the festivals of their religion. He mentioned that many organizations invite Muslims. In his view, festivals unite people rather than divide them. He concluded that if someone does not want to invite someone, they should not invite them, and no one should go there under duress; people only go when invited with love.