Ahmedabad: A saffron outfit in Gujarat’s Mandvi area in Kutch, ‘Hindu Sangathan Yuva Morcha’ has issued a diktat not to allow Muslims in Garba events during Navratri festival
According to a report published in ‘Times of India’, the group which is said to have close ties with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has announced that Hindus who wish to participate in the Garba events will have to apply ’tilak’ on their forehead and sprinkle cow urine on their body.
Hindu Sangathan Yuva Morcha president Raghuvirsinh Jadeja said his associates will keep a strict vigil across Garba venues in Mandvi area.
Local Muslim leader Azam Angadia said other members of the community are expected to meet soon and take a decision on the order.
Meanwhile, the newspaper quoted a BJP leader saying that such decree are in poor taste. “There are many Hindus here who keep roza during Ramzan and Muslims join them with fervour in Ganesh Chaturthi,” he said.
Last year, firebrand VHP leader Pravin Togadia had announced that Muslims must not be allowed inside the Garbha events and insisted identity cards of each and every person be checked for participation in the event.
“Navratri is the festival of Mother Amba’s prayers and worship, so we cannot allow beef-eating Muslims to enter into Garba places,” Togadia had said.