Archive · 22 Sep 2026
BJP MLA’s Garba Remarks Spark Opposition and Communal Debate
BJP legislator Rameshwar Sharma made comments about Muslim men attending Garba events.
He said they should bring female family members and parents with them.
He also said they should chant “Jai Shri Ram” and wear a tilak.
Garba events are held during the Navratri festival.
Congress and AIMIM leaders criticized Sharma’s words.
They said the comments could increase tension between religious communities.
Sharma disagreed with the criticism and repeated that he stood by his statement.
He said Garba is a religious festival dedicated to Goddess Jagadamba.
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said Muslim youths should bring their sisters and daughters to Garba events.
He said Muslim participants should chant “Jai Shri Ram” and apply a tilak.
Congress leader Arif Masood called the remarks objectionable and accused Sharma of inciting communal passions.
Madhya Pradesh AIMIM president Mohsin Ali Khan accused Sharma of trying to divide society.
Sharma defended his comments, saying Garba is a Sanatan religious festival rather than entertainment.
- Who
- BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma, Congress leader Arif Masood, and Madhya Pradesh AIMIM president Mohsin Ali Khan.
- What
- Sharma’s remarks about Muslim participation in Garba events prompted condemnation from Congress and AIMIM.
- When
- Sharma spoke at an event on Monday; the criticism and his response were reported on Tuesday, with the report dated September 22.
- Where
- The remarks concerned Garba events and were made by the legislator from Bhopal’s Huzur constituency; the specific event location was not stated.
- Why
- Sharma said Muslims attending Garba should follow the conditions he described, while critics said his language was objectionable and divisive.
Critics’ View
Sharma’s View
Character of the remarks
Critics’ View
Arif Masood called Sharma’s language objectionable, rude, and inflammatory, while Mohsin Ali Khan said it could divide society.
Sharma’s View
Sharma defended the remarks and said his conditions would not cause anyone any problem.
Muslim participation in Garba
Critics’ View
Masood said Muslims had nothing to do with Garba and objected to Sharma’s comments about their participation.
Sharma’s View
Sharma said Muslims who wished to attend should respect the religious character of the Sanatan festival by following the practices he listed.
- Speaker
- Rameshwar Sharma, BJP MLA from Bhopal’s Huzur constituency
- Festival
- Garba events held during Navratri
- Conditions cited
- Sharma said Muslim participants should chant “Jai Shri Ram,” apply a tilak, and bring sisters, daughters, and parents.
- Congress response
- Arif Masood called the comments highly objectionable and accused Sharma of inciting communal passions.
- AIMIM response
- Mohsin Ali Khan accused Sharma of trying to divide society.
- Sharma’s position
- He said he stood by his statement and described Garba as a Sanatan religious festival.
