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BJP MLA’s Garba Ban Demand Sparks Political Controversy
Usha Thakur, a BJP politician in Madhya Pradesh, wants non-Hindus kept out of Garba events.
She said this would prevent Hindu girls from being misled, but she did not provide evidence for her claim that 4.5 lakh girls eloped each year.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad supported checking people’s identities before they enter.
The group said this could help stop what it calls “love jihad.”
Thakur also said Garba should remain focused on worship rather than clothing, jewellery, and commercial activities.
Congress leaders rejected her comments.
They said she insulted Hindu women and should apologise.
Another BJP politician, Rameshwar Sharma, made separate remarks about Muslim youths attending Garba.
Navratri celebrations mentioned in the report are scheduled from September 22 to October 1.
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Usha Thakur called for non-Hindus to be barred from Garba celebrations.
Thakur claimed, without citing evidence, that 4.5 lakh girls previously eloped with non-Hindu men during Garba annually.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad backed restricting entry and suggested Aadhaar checks to prevent alleged “love jihad.”
Congress accused Thakur of insulting Hindu women and demanded a public apology.
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma separately said Muslim youths should attend Garba with their sisters and daughters.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh BJP MLAs Usha Thakur and Rameshwar Sharma, the Vishva Hindu Parishad, and Congress representatives.
- What
- A controversy over calls to restrict non-Hindus and Muslims from Garba celebrations and proposed identity checks at venues.
- Where
- Garba events in Madhya Pradesh, including areas represented by Thakur in Indore district and Sharma in Bhopal.
- When
- Thakur made her remarks on Tuesday; Sharma made separate remarks on Monday. The reported Navratri celebrations are scheduled from September 22 to October 1.
- Why
- Thakur and the Vishva Hindu Parishad cited alleged demographic change, protection from “love jihad,” and opposition to the commercialisation of Garba.
Supporters of Garba Restrictions
Critics of the Remarks
Entry and identity checks
Supporters of Garba Restrictions
Usha Thakur and the Vishva Hindu Parishad support excluding non-Hindus from Garba events; the VHP suggested Aadhaar checks to prevent alleged “love jihad.”
Critics of the Remarks
Congress and other opposition parties criticised the proposed restrictions and the statements about Muslim attendees.
Evidence and demographic claims
Supporters of Garba Restrictions
Thakur argued that relationships formed during Garba had contributed to demographic change and claimed 4.5 lakh girls eloped annually with non-Hindu men.
Critics of the Remarks
Congress said she questioned Hindu women’s character without evidence and demanded a public apology.
Purpose of Garba
Supporters of Garba Restrictions
Thakur said Garba is a worship festival and criticised commercial celebrations focused on clothes, jewellery, and tattoos.
Critics of the Remarks
The report presents no opposing view on commercialisation, but the broader criticism rejects using such claims to justify exclusionary remarks.
Key facts
- Main speaker
- Usha Thakur, BJP MLA for Dr Ambedkar Nagar-Mhow in Indore district
- Claim cited
- Thakur claimed that 4.5 lakh girls eloped with non-Hindu men annually during Garba, without providing evidence.
- Proposed restriction
- Thakur said non-Hindus should be barred from Garba pandals.
- VHP proposal
- The Vishva Hindu Parishad suggested Aadhaar checks to identify entrants.
- Congress response
- Congress called the comments insulting to Hindu women and demanded a public apology.
- Festival dates
- The report says Navratri will be celebrated from September 22 to October 1.
- Separate remarks
- BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said Muslim youths should not attend Garba alone.
Quotes
Neelabh Shukla
Congress media coordinator in Madhya Pradesh
“I thank all my brothers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal because the commercial form of garba that is emerging seems to have almost eliminated the devotion to the Goddess.”
rediff.com
“These adult girls used to give birth to one child each year, impacting demographic change at the rate of nine lakh children per year.”
rediff.com
Sources
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