Garba Triumph in Maharashtra: On the occasion of the Navratri Festival in Maharashtra, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has released a new guideline for Garba and Dandiya events. It has been said in this instruction that the organizers will have to identify the participants by looking at the Aadhaar vellum at the time of admission; it will have to be applied, and it will be mandatory to get the puja done. VHP says that Garba is not only a flit but moreover a part of the worship of Goddess Mata, so only Hindus can participate in it.
VHP's treatise and purpose
VHP spokesperson Shriraj Nair said that Garba is a triumph of religion, not entertainment. He said that if a non-Hindu person wants to participate in it, he will need to prefer Hinduism. VHP moreover said that the Bajrang Dal and the organization volunteers would monitor the events so that the instructions can be ensured.
Political reactions: support and criticism
BJP leader and senior Maharashtra government minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule supported VHP's move. He said that the organizers have the right to decide the conditions of ticket to their events, provided the program is under the permission of the police. At the same time, Congress leader Vijay Vadettiwar strongly criticized the move. He said that this is an effort made for dividing the society and political gains.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale moreover condemned VHP's instructions. He warned that such steps can increase tension in the society and stupefy the cultural spirit of religious festivals like Navratri.
Safety and monitoring
VHP has asked the organizers to make full security arrangements for the events, install CCTV cameras, and maintain coordination with the police. The organization believes that in the last few years, there was an struggle to spoil the undercurrent in some events, so this time this step is stuff taken.
This festival of Navratri is prestigious extensively in Maharashtra, and millions of people participate in it. VHP's instructions and political reactions have wilt the main subject of discussion at this time of festival.
