Many observers believe this push for exclusion is not just about religious identity, but a calculated move to stir communal tensions in the run-up to municipal elections. By focusing attention on who gets to celebrate, the narrative risks shifting public conversation away from everyday concerns like water-logging during the monsoon, crumbling roads, and the steady relocation of industries—issues that directly affect people’s lives.

This trend of the weaponisation of India’s festivals has been visible over the past decade. Last year, October 2024, Citizens for Justice and Peace documented how, In Gujrat’s Kutch district a Dalit family was allegedly beaten up for attending a Garba event by the members belonging to the upper caste.

VHP’s communal demand: compulsorily check Aadhaar card, and apply tilak on participants

In a move that seeks to redefine the very nature of community celebration, the VHP’s advisory for Maharashtra’s Navratri events laid out a clear protocol for exclusion. It was not a mere suggestion but a detailed set of instructions for enforcement, transforming entry points of festival venues into checkpoints of religious identity.

The first step in this new code is the mandatory verification of identity through Aadhaar cards. This measure, organisers were told, was to ensure that only individuals from the Hindu community could gain access. Following this screening, the second step was the application of a tilak on the forehead of each participant. This traditional mark, historically a symbol of welcome and piety, was repurposed as a visible marker and a final stamp of approval, confirming a person’s religious identity before they could join the festivities.

According to the Indian Express, Shriraj Nair, the VHP’s spokesperson in Maharashtra, articulated the rationale behind this exclusionary stance in stark terms. “The Navratri festival is not just fun and frolic. It is a religious event where devotees worship gods and goddesses. Hence, non-Hindus should not be allowed in garba-dandiya events,” he stated.

Nair framed the issue through a theological lens, questioning the presence of those who do not practice idol worship at a festival centred around it. He then issued a stark ultimatum that erased any ambiguity about the campaign’s intent: “If Muslims are so eager to participate, let them convert to Hinduism and wholeheartedly accept our religion. After all, they can trace their roots back to their Hindu ancestors. They are late converts. We have no objection if Muslims accept the Hindu religion and participate”, as reported.

Last week, September 16, we had reported how right-wing outfits AHP–Rashtriya Bajrang Dal had demanded a ‘Muslim ban at Navratri garba in Jabalpur,’ citing ‘love jihad’. Echoing such negative calls including from Guna also in Madhya Pradesh, the organisations had also demanded Aadhaar checks, threatening the administration with consequences if tensions escalate!!

The ideological justification: from ‘love jihad’ to “theological debates”

The foundation of the VHP’s campaign is the “love jihad” conspiracy theory—an unproven claim that Muslim men are engaged in a systematic plot to lure Hindu women into relationships with the sole aim of converting them to Islam. This narrative has been a recurring theme for right-wing groups, and Navratri, with its large gatherings of young people, is being presented as a prime ground for such activities.

In previous years, the VHP has actively monitored prominent garba venues, checking Aadhaar cards of attendees and applying tilak marks as a form of religious identification—practices it intends to continue this year.

However, senior VHP member Prashant Titre stated, “Our stance is clear, and our campaign will continue this year too.” He emphasised that “Garba-dandiya organisers should ensure only Hindus are allowed after strictly verifying every participant’s Aadhaar card”, as Times of India reported

The VHP further alleged that Navratri celebrations are being misused to promote instances of “love jihad,” claiming that many Hindu women and girls have been deceived by individuals from other religions under the guise of romance. With families attending in large numbers, the group argues that such events are vulnerable to exploitation by “anti-social and criminal elements.” As a preventive measure, the VHP has called for mandatory CCTV surveillance at all venues and urged the police to implement stricter security protocols and issue clear guidelines.

The Quran strictly prohibits idol worship, why should such people come to Garba? asks BJP

Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye took to X (formerly Twitter) to argue that the ban was, in fact, an act of respecting Islam. He wrote, “The Quran strictly prohibits idol worship (Surah Al-Ankabut – 29:25). So, for those whose religious scriptures themselves ban idol worship, participating in Hindus’ Garba is an insult to their own faith! Yet still – why should such people come to Garba?”

He positioned the exclusionary stance not as an act of enmity but as one of “preserving respect for religions,” arguing that “’Only Hindus in Garba’ – this insistence promotes harmony in society and mutual respect.”

कुराणात मूर्तीपूजेचा कठोर निषेध आहे (सूरा अल-अन्कबूत – 29:25). मग ज्यांच्या धर्मग्रंथातच मूर्तीपूजेवर बंदी आहे, त्यांनी हिंदूंच्या गरब्यात सहभागी होणे हा त्यांच्या स्वतःच्या श्रद्धेचा अपमान!
तरीदेखील – अशा लोकांनी का यायचं गरब्यात?

रास गरबा महोत्सवात ‘देवी’च्या मूर्तीसमोर…

— Keshav Upadhye (@keshavupadhye) September 22, 2025

A nationally coordinated hateful campaign

The campaign in Maharashtra is not an isolated event but a playbook being implemented across several other states, indicating a coordinated national strategy.

In cities across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the message of exclusion was made public and official. Organisers in Bhopal, Khandwa, Kota, and Bhilwara erected large banners and posters at city squares and venue entrances, explicitly warning non-Hindus against even thinking of entering Garba pandals.

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

On September 13, weeks before Navratri began, members of the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) and Rashtriya Bajrang Dal staged a formal protest in Omti. They submitted a memorandum to local authorities demanding a complete ban on Muslim participation, organisation, and attendance at Garba events. Citing “love jihad” and the argument that Bollywood songs “hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma,” they warned that the administration would be held responsible for any “escalation in communal tensions.”

 

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Satna, Madhya Pradesh

On September 18, the members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal took to the streets, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, burning tyres, and blocking roads. Their demands included the removal of nearby meat markets, which they alleged were illegal, and a strictly enforced ban on non-Hindus at all Garba events in the district. They also submitted a memorandum with the demands to district officials.

SP leader supported the ban on Muslim entry in Garba events

Reacting to the developments, Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hassan from Moradabad offered a different perspective, welcoming the ban. He said, “I welcome this action because Navratri is a religious event. Idol worship is not acceptable in Islam, so if any Muslim brother goes there, he would be acting against his religious beliefs. As I have mentioned earlier, Muslim youths should consider Hindu girls as their sisters…”

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: Reacting to the ban on the entry of Muslims in garba pandals, Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hassan says, “I welcome this action because Navratri is a religious event. Idol worship is not acceptable in Islam, so if any Muslim brother goes there, he would be… pic.twitter.com/mtdnd48BLn

— IANS (@ians_india) September 22, 2025

However, incidents from last year in Jhansi, Indore, Dewas, and Guna also show that this isn’t just a series of random flare-ups—it’s becoming a worrying trend. In several BJP-ruled states, festivals like Navratri are increasingly being turned into platforms for exclusion. Muslim artists and youth have been singled out, stopped from performing, harassed, and even attacked, all under the claim of protecting religious sentiments. These aren’t isolated cases—they reflect a deeper effort to push certain communities out of public and cultural spaces. Festivals, which once brought people together, are slowly being used to drive people apart.

Related:

Navratri: Communal demands mark pre-festival protest in Jabalpur

VHP leader assaults Muslim youth attempting to enter Navratri event in UP

Delving into the hearts and minds of ‘killers’ who took the life of journalist-activist, Gauri Lankesh

The post Tilak, ID Checks & Religious Tests: what’s happening at Garba events? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

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.

 

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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.”

 

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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.

 

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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

The post Hate Watch: Navratri events marred by targeted attacks on Muslim youth and artist appeared first on SabrangIndia.

However, a sinister thread of hatred and communal division has increasingly sought to weaken this fabric, as the sacred rhythms of Navratri has disrupted by the discordant notes of intolerance and division in few cities of BJP-ruling states Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The installation of posters and hoarding by right-wing outfits imposing ban on entry of non-Hindus in Navratri events and Garba Pandals leads to Muslim cleric to made request Muslim youth to not participate in Navratri events in Ratlam.

Muslim youth beaten by VHP members for ‘trying to enter’ Navratri event in UP

On October 4, 2024, in a tragic incident occured on Friday at Lajpat Bhavan in Swaroop Nagar in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district, a Muslim youth was allegedly beaten up by members of the right-wing extremist organisation Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal at a Navratri event. In Swaroop Nagar.

According to the Hindustan Times, the video of incident shared on social media showed a man being beaten up while being questioned about his religion. Motijheel police outpost in-charge, Ravi Kumar, has lodged an FIR against unknown men for assaulting unidentified youngsters at the event, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Dinesh Tirpathi said on Saturday, October 5.

As per a report in the HT in a statement, Yuvraj Dwivedi, VHP’s district secretary (Kanpur North), claimed to have carried out checks at ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandia’ venues during the ongoing Navratri festival in the city to prevent people from other religions from participating in the celebrations.

MP’s Muslim cleric urges Muslims to avoid Navratri and Garba events

In BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, after posters by right-wing outfits banning entry of non-Hindus in Garba Pandal and Navratri Events, the Qazi of Western MP’s Ratlam City has issued a written appeal to all Muslims of the districts, especially the youngsters and women to opt out from Navratri events and Garba celebrations.

The Qazi of western MP’s Ratlam city, Mohd Syed Quazi Ahmad Ali, issued a written appeal to all Muslims of the district in wake of apprehension of communal tensions highlighting current times and situation.

Qazi Ahmad Ali said in his statement that “I request Muslim young people, mothers, sisters, and daughters not to visit fairs or watch Garba events. Instead, I call upon you to stay at home, keeping in mind the situation,” Ali said in a written message addressed to the Muslim community.

As per a report in the Indian Express, while reacting to the reasons for the appeal, the Muslim cleric said, “At a time when Garba organizers and religious outfits are openly saying that non-Hindus (particularly Muslims) won’t be allowed entry into the Garbas and if caught in the Garba pandals, they would be taught lesson, this appeal has been for Muslims in Ratlam. Not just Ratlam, I appeal to the Muslims elsewhere also to stay indoors and strictly avoid going to Garbas for their own safety as well as for maintaining communal peace.” Reported the

However, local VHP leader Gaurav Sharma while defending these posters and one of the Garba organizers Pappu Purohit, said, “The Garbas are festivals of devotion to Goddess Durga, where all Sanatanis are welcomed. But there will be no place for non-Hindus, as they don’t believe in idol worship. Also, this strict ban on entry of non-Hindus into Garba pandals will ensure that none of the youths entering these pandals with the menace of love Jihad in mind, enter the pandals.”

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said that police patrols, including teams of women officers on scooters, have been monitoring Garba venues from 7 pm to 1 am to ensure incident-free celebrations.

Related:

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

Bharuch bows to VHP’s firman: No Muslims at Navratri fest this year

The post VHP leader assaults Muslim youth attempting to enter Navratri event in UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image: Navbharat Times

कपड़ों पर दाग पड़ने से रोकने के लिए गौमूत्र के साथ गंगाजल का मिश्रण किया गया था, लेकिन लोगों की नाराजगी छिपी नहीं रही। कुछ लोगों ने तो इसका विरोध नहीं किया लेकिन आईटी विशेषज्ञ देवदत्त सिंह रावल जैसे कई लोगों ने न केवल इसका विरोध किया बल्कि पुलिस भी बुला ली।

उनकी पत्नी जानकी बा बताती हैं- “बजरंग दल वालों ने हमें बाहर निकाल फेंकने की धमकी भी दी। हमारे पास पास था तो वे हमें रोकने वाले कौन होते हैं? कई लोग डर के मारे चुप रहे लेकिन मुझे किसी को साबित करने की ज़रूरत नहीं कि मैं हिंदू हूँ।”

उस समारोह में आमंत्रित सामाजिक न्याय मंत्री केशाजी चौहान का भी स्वागत बजरंद दल वालों ने गौमूत्र छिड़ककर ही किया। बजरंग दल की गांधीनगर इकाई के जिलाध्यक्ष अमित उपाध्याय का कहना है- हम तो चार साल से ये काम कर रहे हैं। लव-जिहाद रोकने के लिए ये तरीका हमने अपनाया है। पहले हम लोग तिलक लगाते थे लेकिन बाद में लगा कि गैर हिंदुओं को दूर रखने के लिए गौमूत्र ज्यादा कारगर है। उपाध्याय के साथ करीब 300 युवाओं की टीम है जो होली और नवरात्रि पर भी “संस्कृति रक्षा” का काम करती है।

अमित उपाध्याय कहते हैं- “हमें पुलिस की परमीशन की ज़रूरत नहीं है। हम अपने धर्म की सेवा कर रहे हैं। जो लोग गौमूत्र छिड़कवाने से इन्कार करेंगे, उन्हें हम बाहर निकाल देंगे।”

जबरन गौमूत्र छिड़कने के बारे में गांधीनगर के डीएसपी विजय पटेल का कहना है- “हमें ऐसी किसी घटना की जानकारी नहीं है। अगर कोई शिकायत हमें मिली तो हम उस पर जरूरी कार्रवाई करेंगे।”

थंगानट गरबा के आयोजक रोहित नायानी किसी विवाद में पड़ने से बचना चाहते हैं। वे कहते हैं, “बजरंग दल वाले पिछले तीन साल से यहाँ आ रहे हैं, लेकिन अब तक उनकी कोई शिकायत नहीं मिली है।”

गरबा में आने वाले सभी आगंतुकों पर गौमूत्र तो छिड़का जा रहा है लेकिन भाजपा से जुड़े अल्पसंख्यक नेताओं को इससे अलग रखा गया। सामाजिक न्याय मंत्री केशाजी चौहान और धर्मगुरु भैयूजी महाराज पर गौमूत्र डाला गया लेकिन उनके साथ आए भाजपा नेता और सूफी संत महबूब अली चिश्ती को बिना गौमूत्र छिड़के अंदर आने दिया गया। बजरंग दल वाले इसके लिए भीड़ का बहाना बनाते हैं।

Courtesy: Ahmedabad Mirror
 

The post गरबा में आने वालों पर गौमूत्र का छिड़काव appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image: News Nation

Navratri, meaning nine nights, is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. Gujarat, however, is the only state that erupts into a nine-night dance festival (garba), perhaps the longest in the world. Each night, all over the state, villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti. This year it will begin on 1st October.

Last year, VHP leader Pravin Togadia had demanded that Muslims be banned from garba events, and that the identity cards of every person entering the venue of the event must be checked at the door. “Navratri is the festival of Mother Amba’s prayers and worship, so we cannot allow beef-eating Muslims to enter into garba places,” Togadia had said.

This latest attempt at dividing India into Hindus, Muslims and other religions, comes as a brutal incident played out in Ahmedabad. Earlier this week, some people beat to death a young Muslim man and critically injured another one. The incident took place on September 13 when Mohammad Ayub and Sameer Sheikh were traveling in an Innova car towards Ahmedabad with two calves.
 
The 29-year old succumbed to his injuries and breathed his last week. According to reports while Ayub and Sheikh travelled to Ahmedabad, the gau rakshak mob chased them all of a sudden. It was reported that they pulled them out of the car and thrashed them. The group rammed into their car near Honest T-junction near Karnavati club in Ahmedabad.
 
Now, the organisers of two garba events in Gujarat’s Bharuch district have decided not to allow Muslims at the venue after protests from the VHP. The Bharuch unit of the VHP opposed two garba events which also have Muslims among the organisers. The VHP members handed over a memorandum to the district collector, seeking to ban Muslims at the event for “security” and “law and order” reasons.
 
The organisers of the first event — a real estate group which also has a Muslim partner — said it will check the identity of ticket seekers for the event which is scheduled to be held in October. The real estate group’s partners include: Jaydeepsinh Raj, Jasu Patel and Asif Patel. They are organising a mega garba event at Dudhara dairy ground in Bharuch. Among those invited to the nine-day event, ‘Raas-e-Bharuch’, are actors Jackie Shroff and Zarine Khan.
 
The second event is being organised by Shehzada Shaikh, a social worker, in partnership with two others from the majority community whose names he did not disclose. This event is scheduled to be held at Sonal party plot on College Road.

Jaydeepsinh Raj, organiser of ‘Raas-e-Bharuch’, said, “We partnered with Asif Patel because he has good relations with Bollywood celebrities. Because the VHP is opposing the event, we removed our original banners (for the event) and put up new ones which do not have Asif’s name on them. We have also contacted two private security agencies — one from Bharuch and another from Ahmedabad — for deployment of security personnel on the garba grounds. We will not issue or sell passes to Muslims and the tickets will be given to participants only after they show an identity card. We have also applied for police permission and it will come shortly.”
 
Viral Desai, VHP joint secretary (south Gujarat), who is based in Bharuch, met Bharuch district collector Sandip Sagale, along with other VHP members and handed over a memorandum demanding not to give permission to Muslim organisers of the garba event in the town.
 
Asif Patel, who also is a choreographer and runs a local newspaper, said, “We decided to organise a big Navratri event by inviting Bollywood celebrities. The proceeds from the funds raised through this event will be used in building steps and infrastructure for pilgrims going to Chitra Mata temple on the banks of Narmada river. Our motive was to build communal harmony by organising this event.”
 
However, after the VHP protests, Asif Patel said he will not allow Muslims. “After the VHP’s opposition, we have decided that Muslims should not enter the ground. We will not sell passes or tickets to Muslims. I’m director of the company and my name on the banner was obvious. But since they have objected, we have decided to remove my name. If they demand that I should not enter the ground, I will not be at the venue,” said Asif Patel, adding that the passes for the event are available at Rs 1,200 (for all nine days).

Desai, in his memorandum, cited the Uri terror attacks on army headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir and said that Gujarat was always on high alert. He also cited the murder of BJP leaders Shirish Bengali and Pragnesh Mistry last year, detected by the NIA as an operation by the underworld.
 
The memorandum further said, “Garba festival is important and our religious feelings are attached to it. Some Muslims have taken this festival as a business opportunity and with the help of Hindu partners, they have organised two such events in Bharuch. The motive is clear as they wanted to earn money by organising it and have thus invited Bollywood celebrities.
 
The writer is the editor of Gujarat Siyasat published from Ahmedabad and general secretary, All India Milli council, Gujarat chapter. 

The post Bharuch bows to VHP’s firman: No Muslims at Navratri fest this year appeared first on SabrangIndia.

हिंदुत्व की प्रयोगशाला गुजरात में लगातार `प्रयोग’ हो रहे हैं। पिछले सप्ताह कथित गोरक्षकों ने 29 साल के युवक मोहम्मद अयूब को मार डाला था। अब वीएचपी ने राज्य में नवरात्रों को होने वाले गरबा आयोजनों में मुस्लिमों को न घुसने देने की चेतावनी दी है।

पिछले साल वीएचपी नेता प्रवीण तोगड़िया ने गरबा आयोजनों में मुस्लिमों को न घुसने देने की अपील की थी। इन आयोजन स्थलों के प्रवेश पर ही लोगों की पहचान पत्र की जांच करने को कहा गया था। तोगड़िया ने कहा था कि नवरात्रि मां अम्बे की पूजा-अर्चना का उत्सव है इसलिए बीफ खाने वाले मुस्लिमों को गरबा आयोजनों में न घुसने दिया जाए।

गरबा स्थलों में मुस्लिमों पर पाबंदी का यह नया पैंतरा ऐसे वक्त दिखा है जब गुजरात में हिंदू- मुस्लिमों के बीच खाई और चौड़ी होती जा रही है। माहौल लगातार खराब हो रहा है। पिछले सप्ताह कथित गोरक्षकों ने इनोवा से दो बछड़े लेकर अहमदाबाद जा रहे मोहम्मद अयूब को पीट-पीट कर मार डाला और उसके साथ सफर कर रहे समीर शेख को घायल कर दिया।

बहरहाल, वीएचपी की अपील पर भरूच जिले के दो गरबा आयोजकों ने मुस्लिमों को इसमें न घुसने देने का फैसला किया है। वीएचपी की भरूच यूनिट ने उन दो गरबा आयोजनों का भी विरोध किया है, जिनके आयोजकों में मुस्लिम शामिल हैं।

वीएचपी के कार्यकर्ताओं ने जिलाधिकारी को मेमोरंडम सौंप कर कहा है सुरक्षा और कानून-व्यवस्था के मुद्दे को देखते हुए मुस्लिमों को गरबा स्थलों पर जाने से रोका जाए। पहले आयोजन के आयोजकों में एक रियल एस्टेट ग्रुप भी शामिल है, जिसके मुस्लिम पार्टनर हैं। मंगलवार को इस आयोजक ने ऐलान किया कि यह अक्टूबर में होने वाले गरबा आयोजन के टिकट मांगने वालों के आइडेंटिटी कार्ड चेक करेगा। इस रियल एस्टेट ग्रुप के आयोजकों में जयदीपसिन्ह राज, जसु पटेल और आसिफ पटेल शामिल हैं। ये लोग भरूच के दुधारा डेयरी ग्राउंड में एक मेगा गरबा इवेंट कर रहे हैं। नौ दिन चलने वाले इस आयोजन का नाम रखा गया है `रास-ए-भरूच’। इसमें एक्टर जैकी श्रॉफ और एक्ट्रेस जरीन खान भी शामिल होंगी।

दूसरे इवेंट के आयोजक हैं शहजादा शेख। सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता शेख बहुसंख्यक समुदाय के दो अन्य लोगों के साथ मिल कर यह इवेंट करवा रहे हैं। हालांकि उन्होंने दोनों पार्टनरों का नाम नहीं बताया। यह आयोजन कॉलेज रोड पर सोनल पार्टी प्लॉट में होगा।

`रास-ए-भरूच’ के आयोजक जयदीपसिन्ह राज ने बताया कि उन्होंने आसिफ पटेल को इसलिए पार्टनर बनाया क्योंकि उनके बॉलीवुड के सेलिब्रिटीज के साथ अच्छे संबंध हैं। चूंकि वीएचपी मुस्लिम पार्टनर को साथ लेकर किए जाने वाले गरबा आयोजनों का विरोध रही है इसलिए हमने अपना पुराना बैनर हटा दिया है। जो नया बैनर लगाया गया है उसमें आसिफ का नाम नहीं है। हमने दो प्राइवेट सिक्यूरिटी एजेंसियों से कांट्रेक्ट किया है। एक भरूच की और दूसरी अहमदाबाद की है। दोनों सिक्यूरिटी एजेंसियों के लोग गरबा स्थलों की सुरक्षा में तैनात रहेंगे। जयदीपसिन्ह राज ने कहा कि हम मुस्लिमों को पास या टिकट नहीं देंगे। आयोजन में आने वालों को आइडेंटिटी कार्ड दिखाने पर ही टिकट मिलेगा।

दक्षिण गुजरात में वीएचपी के संयुक्त सचिव विरल शाह ने हाल में कार्यकर्ताओं के साथ भरूच के डिस्ट्रिक्ट कलेक्टर संदीप सगाले से मुलाकात की थी और उन्हें मेमोरंडम देकर कहा था कि मुस्लिमों को गरबा आयोजित करने की इजाजत न दी जाए।
आसिफ पटेल कोरियोग्राफर हैं और एक लोकल अखबार चलाते हैं। उन्होंने कहा, हमने इस बार बॉलीवुड की सेलिब्रिटीज को बुला कर बड़े नवरात्रि आयोजन का फैसला किया है। इसके लिए जो फंड इकट्ठा हुआ है उसका इस्तेमाल नर्मदा नदी के किनारे बने चित्र माता मंदिर तक जाने के लिए सीढ़ियां और दूसरे इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर बनेंगे। हम इस आयोजन के जरिये सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव बढ़ाना चाहते हैं। लेकिन वीएचपी के विरोध के बाद आसिफ पटेल ने कहा कि वह मुसलमानों को आयोजन स्थल पर नहीं आने देंगे। मुस्लिमों को इसके टिकट और पास नहीं बेचे जाएंगे। पटेल ने कहा कि मैं कंपनी का डायरेक्टर हूं और जाहिर है मेरा नाम बतौर आयोजक बैनर में होना ही है। अगर वीएचपी विरोध कर रही है तो मैं भी आयोजन स्थल पर नहीं जाऊंगा। पटेल ने बताया कि नौ दिन चलने वाले गरबा आयोजन के पास 1200 रुपये में उपलब्ध हैं।

इधर, देसाई ने जिलाधिकारी को सौंपे मेमोरंडम में कि उड़ी अटैक का हवाला देते हुए कहा है कि गुजरात हमेशा हाई अलर्ट पर रहा है। उन्होंने पिछले साल भाजपा नेताओं शिरीष बंगाली और प्राग्नेश मिस्त्री की हत्याओं का हवाला दिया और कहा कि एनआईए की जांच में पता चला कि यह अंडरवर्ल्ड की करतूत थी।

मेमोरडंम में यह भी कहा गया है कि गरबा उत्सव हमारे लिए अहम है और यह हमारी धार्मिक भावनाओं से जुड़ा है। लेकिन कुछ मुसलमानों ने ऐसे आयोजनों को हथिया लिया है और अपने हिंदू पार्टनरों के साथ मिल कर इसे पैसे कमाने का धंधा बना दिया है। वे भरूच में ऐसे दो आयोजन कर रहे हैं। साफ है कि उनका मकसद पैसा कमाना है। यही वजह है कि वे इनमें बॉलीवुड सेलिब्रिटीज को बुला रहे हैं। 

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