Amruta Fadnavis answering questions from the media in Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
There is nothing wrong if Muslims also come to watch Garba. Festivals should be inclusive and bring everyone together. Amid the controversy over the entry of Muslims into Garba events held during Navratri, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, made this statement.
Amruta had reached Chandrapur’s largest Mahashivling temple on Tuesday to attend a Rudrabhishek ceremony. She also spoke to the media there.
During the interaction, she made this statement in response to a question about the remarks made by Maharashtra government minister Nitesh Rane. Recently, Rane had opposed the entry of Muslims into Garba events.
Nitesh Rane had alleged ‘love jihad’
In an interview with the news agency PTI on Monday, Nitesh Rane said that some Muslim youths enter Garba events by giving Hindu names or pretending to be Hindus, apply a tilak on their foreheads, and approach Hindu girls, luring them into their trap.
Calling this a threat of “love jihad,” he demanded that Muslims be barred from entering Garba events to ensure the safety of Hindu girls.
Supporting the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) demand, he said that those who do not worship idols should not participate in Hindu religious events. People would have to show their identity before entering every Garba venue and recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
Nitesh Rane giving an interview to news agency PTI.
VHP announces no entry for Muslims at garba events
The VHP has announced ‘no entry’ for Muslims at ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ events in Maharashtra during Navratri, which begins on October 11.
The VHP has appealed to organizers to check participants’ Aadhaar cards at the entrance and apply tilak to their foreheads so that only people with a Hindu identity can enter.
