- Amruta Fadnavis said she sees nothing wrong with Muslims attending Garba and Dandiya celebrations.
- Her comments came after the VHP called for Muslims to be excluded from Navratri events.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and actor Shreyas Talpade also spoke against excluding people from the celebrations.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta Fadnavis has said she sees nothing wrong with Muslims attending Garba and Dandiya celebrations, taking a different position from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) recent call to exclude Muslims from such events.
The issue has triggered a political debate in Maharashtra ahead of Navratri, which begins on October 11. BJP leader and state minister Nitesh Rane has supported the VHP’s position, while Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has backed Amruta Fadnavis’ view.
Garba and Dandiya events are particularly popular across the Mumbai metropolitan region and have grown beyond their traditional association with the Gujarati community.
Amruta Fadnavis Supports Muslim Participation in Garba
Reacting to the VHP’s call, Amruta Fadnavis said she did not see a problem if a Muslim person attended the celebrations and participated respectfully.
Her comments came after the VHP called on organisers to prevent Muslims from taking part in Garba and Dandiya events. The organisation also urged event organisers to check attendees’ Aadhaar cards and apply tilak to participants.
VHP spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said the organisation had decided against allowing Muslims to participate in the celebrations, arguing that Navratri is a religious festival centred on worship of the Goddess.
VHP Call Draws Political Reactions
Nitesh Rane supported the VHP’s position and said Muslims should not be allowed at venues hosting Garba and Dandiya celebrations.
Rane also suggested additional measures, including Aadhaar verification, applying tilak and asking visitors to recite the Hanuman Chalisa. He linked his position to allegations of ‘love jihad’ at such festivals.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has not commented on the issue, according to the information available.
Sanjay Raut Backs Amruta Fadnavis’ View
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut welcomed Amruta Fadnavis’ position but also criticised what he described as the presence of neo-Hindutva voices within the Maharashtra government.
Raut said Amruta Fadnavis’ position was that Muslim women should be allowed to participate in Garba and Dandiya celebrations.
The debate comes as Mumbai prepares for the annual Navratri festivities. Although Garba originated as a traditional dance associated with Gujarat, it has become a major part of Mumbai’s Navratri celebrations over the past several decades.
Actor Shreyas Talpade also spoke about the issue, saying Hindus and Muslims have traditionally celebrated festivals together. He described the matter as more political in nature and said he would continue to enjoy festivals wholeheartedly.
The controversy is likely to remain a talking point in Maharashtra as organisers prepare for Garba and Dandiya events ahead of Navratri.
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