Key Takeaways
- The VHP wants Aadhar verification to limit non‑Hindu entry to Garba events.
- Incidents in Mumbai and Rajasthan highlight security concerns during Navratri.
- Debate continues over whether Garba is a ‘Haram’ activity for Muslims.
Recently, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) proposed an Aadhar-check to restrict the entry of non‑Hindus to Garba and Dandiya events across Maharashtra.
As per the VHP’s guidelines, organisers have been urged to check entrants’ Aadhar cards and look for obvious markers of Hindu identity, such as the Tilak.
While the VHP has stated that these measures are precautionary in nature and has questioned as to what Muslims, who do not believe in idol worship, have to do with Garba and Dandiya events that are a crucial part of annual Navratri celebrations, and revolve around worshipping the idol of a Hindu deity; Muslims and those who oppose the VHP and similar Hindu organisations, have been speaking their minds vehemently against the VHP guidelines.
Calling it a ‘Fatwa’ against Muslims and a ‘ban’ on their entry into such events, opposing parties have condemned this move from the VHP saying that different communities coming together during festivities like these signifies social, religious, and cultural harmony, and showcases how such ‘harmony’ keeps the social fabric of India intact.
But the first question that arises in one’s mind looking at the ongoing row over the matter, similar to what the VHP stated as well, is why should the same Muslim community, that has a problem with singing even the national anthem and the national song; has trouble during the festival of Holi because ‘Hindu colours’ are ‘Haram’; or cannot even tolerate Hindu processions passing from outside mosques because it hurts their religious beliefs, rules, and sentiments, attend or be so desperate to attend and be a part of a completely Hindu religious practice and celebration, which is based on worshipping a Hindu Goddess and its various forms?
The feeling of a non-Muslim event or celebration being ‘Haram’ and being something with which Muslims should maintain a safe distance, for the sake of what their religious teachings allow or disallow, can absolutely not be selective in nature. Just because Garba and Dandiya involve dancing and music, they do not become less Hindu in nature or not Hindu at all; alas, even music is ‘Haram’ in Islam, which makes it all the more important for Muslims to not attend such events during the Hindu religious festival of Navratri.
Further, even if we look the other way from what is ‘Haram’ and what is not, restricting the entry of non-Hindus to these events makes much more sense when we look at what all had transpired during the Navratri season in just 2025 alone. In Maharashtra’s Mumbai itself, on September 21, 2025, a Durga statue was vandalised in the Mankhurd area, near a mosque, because Muslims had a problem with the sound of drums being played during a welcome-procession being carried out for the idol.
Not only was the idol vandalised and its hand broken, a Muslim mob had also attacked the participating Hindus with rods and sharp weapons; following which the police had arrived on the scene and had immediately arrested 7 Muslims who were involved in the violence and vandalism.
In another incident from Mumbai itself, one Mohsin Khan had thrown eggs on the venue that had been hosting a Garba event, from the 16th floor of a building in Mira Road East. This offense was followed by a dispute between the Hindu and Muslim communities, and the police registered an FIR against Khan. During investigation, it had even come to the knowledge of the police that Khan had earlier tried to stop the programme from being organised multiple times by calling the police in the past.
In another incident that had come to the fore from the state of Maharashtra itself, WhatsApp messages exchanged between two Muslim students from VIVA College were leaked. The students, Shahid and Faiz, as was evident from the conversation they had, were planning to enter Garba events and specifically target Hindu girls. ‘Not a single Hindu girl should be spared’, read one of the messages that was sent during the e-conversation.
Checking and confirming the identities of entrants to Garba and Dandiya events becomes even more important when we look at what happened in Rajasthan’s Banswara last year as well. A 16-year-old Muslim boy entered a Garba pandal using a fake identity, calling himself ‘Aarav Trivedi’. Upon entering the event, he harassed a 17-year-old Hindu girl and pressurised her to go along with him.
Multiple other such cases were reported during the Navratri season last year alone wherein Muslims entered Garba events under fake identities, vandalised idols, and attacked or harassed Hindus, especially targeting women and girls.
When one looks at such offenses being committed by members of the Muslim community during a particular Hindu festival and its celebrations, one is forced not to believe in the ‘social harmony’ that, according to those speaking against the VHP, is being hurt. The guidelines issued by the VHP do not attack a particular religious community or speak against ‘harmony’, what they do is simply try and protect the sanctity of our cultural and religious events, and safeguard the lives of thousands of innocent Hindus who simply want to celebrate the coming of the Goddess, without being worrisome about the idol being disrespected, men being attacked, and women being molested.
