Mumbai: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has strongly criticised the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) advisory restricting garba events during Navratri to Hindus only. Calling the move a “recipe for violence,” Athawale said the VHP’s directive amounted to an invitation for radical groups to provoke unrest and warned that any clashes during the festival would be the VHP’s responsibility.
Navratri begins on September 22 and runs until October 1, with garba and dandiya as its central celebrations. The VHP urged organisers to enforce Hindu-only entry and verify attendees through Aadhaar cards, claiming the restrictions were needed to prevent “love jihad.” The organisation framed garba as sacred worship, not simply a cultural gathering.
Athawale, a Republican Party of India (Athawale) leader and Union Minister of State for Social Justice, rejected this position in a public statement. “Who is the VHP to decide who will go to garba and who will not?” he asked. He accused the advisory of undermining India’s diversity and warned it would escalate communal tensions.
The minister also cited constitutional protections under Articles 14, 15, and 25, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and religious freedom. He argued that garba is not limited to religious worship but is also a celebration of music, dance, and community harmony.
Athawale called on authorities to ensure the safety of all participants and prevent coercion or discriminatory checks at events. He concluded by stressing that India’s youth want inclusivity and progress, not division.
