As the Navratri festival begins on October 3, 2024, recent incidents in BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have raised serious concerns about the continued and targeted attacks on Muslim youth and artist for participating in Navratri and Graba events by right-wing outfits. This ongoing violence highlights troubling tensions during a time meant for celebration.
In our previous report on Sabrang India, we highlighted the sinister thread of hatred and communal division that is increasingly undermining the fabric of interfaith coexistence. The sacred rhythms of Navratri have been disrupted by the discordant notes of intolerance and division in several BJP-ruled states, including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where right-wing groups have intensified their activities. Similar incidents have recurred across the country.
Uttar Pradesh
In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim woman artist Baby Imran was barred from performing at a Garba event despite being invited, solely due to her identity. When she began her performance, the electricity was cut off and not restored until she left the event.
While speaking to the media, the artist said that “I have promoted my folk culture through social media and the entire public of Jhansi has supported me.” She reacting to her expulsion from the event, said that “There is no caste of an artist, or the religion of an artist is humanity, I am a Muslim, my name is Muslim but I have always brought forward Indian Sanskrit, such behavior has never happened with me.”
In #UttarPradesh‘s #Jhansi, a #Muslim woman artist was invited but not allowed to perform at a #Garba event due to her religious identity.
When she started performing, electricity was cut off. It was not restored unless she left the event. pic.twitter.com/v56VKiKYkZ
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) October 10, 2024
Madhya Pradesh
In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal disrupted a dandiya event upon allegedly discovering a Muslim youth attending with food containing chicken. In the video that surfaced on social media, you can see a saffron shawl wear right-wing leader citing the names of the alleged Muslim youth for attending the event along with having chicken.
In Dewas, Hindu Jagran Manch members warned non-Hindus to leave a Garba event immediately, threatening physical assault for those who did not comply. In a video that surfaced on social media, a group of right-wing members while chanting the slogan of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ entered the Garba event and addressed the gathered crowd, stating, “If any vidharmi is present in this pandal, leave immediately; otherwise, we will throw you out.”
Similarly, On October 6, 2024, in MP’s Guna, right wing outfit Hindu Jagran Manch’s members intruded a Garba celebration, caught and physically assaulted Muslim youths for attending the event, and handed them over to the police. In the video police personnel can be seen assaulting the Muslim youth when he opposed his expulsion.
The rising hostility against Muslim artists and youth participating in cultural celebrations highlights a troubling trend of communal division in India. Recent incidents, particularly in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, reveal a chilling atmosphere where right-wing groups disrupt events and instigate violence based on religious identity. The exclusion of individuals like artist Baby Imran and the threats faced by Muslim attendees at Garba events underline a broader agenda that seeks to undermine interfaith harmony. This escalating intolerance not only harms the spirit of cultural unity but also threatens the very essence of India’s kaleidoscopic festivals.
Related:
VHP leader assaults Muslim youth attempting to enter Navratri event in UP
When Navratri’s joyous Garba dance becomes a garb for exclusion: Gujarat, MP
Hate Watch: Vigilante groups misuse Navratri as an excuse to spread communal unrest