VHP Bars Muslims From Garba Events

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced guidelines to bar Muslims from participating in Garba and Dandiya events during the upcoming Navratri festival in Maharashtra, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and minority rights bodies. The VHP's directives, issued ahead of the festival beginning on October 11, 2026, include mandatory checks of participants' Aadhaar cards and the application of tilak on their foreheads to verify Hindu identity. VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair stated that the decision was made because Navratri is a religious festival centered on the worship of a Hindu goddess, not merely a cultural or dance event. He argued that Muslims, who he said do not follow the religious beliefs associated with the festival, should not participate. Nair described the measures as precautionary and intended to preserve the religious character of the festival, while also claiming they were not directed against any particular community. He suggested that Muslims wishing to celebrate should organize their own events at their residences or places of worship. The announcement has triggered significant political backlash.