India’s kaleidoscopic festivals, epitomized by the vibrant revelry of Navratri, weave a rich tapestry of diversity and harmony. Through joyful participation in Ramlila and Garba events, they bridge communal divides and foster warm interfaith exchanges.
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.
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