Raipur: Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Salim Raj has appealed to Muslim youth to refrain from attending or interfering in Hindu religious events during the ongoing Navratra festivities. His statement comes after posters appeared in Madhya Pradesh calling on non-Hindus to stay away from garba pandals, and after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal urged a boycott of non-Hindus sponsoring garbas in Chhattisgarh.
Raj, in an official statement, said Muslims who do not believe in idol worship should not participate in rituals like garba. He emphasized that involvement in such events without respecting customs risks creating tension and hurting sentiments. He added that those who wish to attend should seek permission from organisers, wear traditional attire, and adhere to established practices.
He stressed that any attempt to disrupt garba celebrations or participate with ill intent would damage harmony between communities. Calling garba a devotional folk dance dedicated to Goddess Durga, Raj explained that it carries spiritual meaning and is not an ordinary cultural performance.
Raj further urged Muslim youth to protect communal peace in the state. Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s tradition of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, he said Islam stands for peace and harmony, and all communities must safeguard unity and brotherhood. He called on both Hindus and Muslims to respect each other’s faiths and preserve the cultural fabric of the region.
