Bhopal – Prominent Muslim clerics in Madhya Pradesh have urged the government to introduce legislation preventing Muslims from participating in Hindu religious festivals such as Navratri garba. Their remarks came a day after the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chief asked Muslim youth to refrain from performing garba.
Nayab Sheher Qazi of Bhopal, Ali Qadr Hussaini, stated that a clear law would avoid confusion. He argued that Muslims should not attend Hindu religious events as participants, comparing it to being an uninvited guest. Hussaini said that while entry to mosques is open, organizers of religious events must have the right to set boundaries. He emphasized that Muslims should respect such limits and maintain their distance from practices identified with another faith.
In Indore, the Shahar Qazi repeated his call for Muslims to stay away from garba venues. He said that the community should not involve itself in rituals of other religions, describing it as a matter of religious discipline and clarity.
Political voices also entered the debate. BJP MP from Bhopal, Alok Sharma, said identification checks at garba venues should be enforced to ensure that only Hindus participate. He added that people should celebrate their own festivals and avoid appearing as imposters at events of other faiths.
The issue has drawn attention amid Navratri festivities across central India, reflecting a growing debate within sections of both religious and political leadership about interfaith participation in cultural practices.
