14 hrs ago
Garba Partner Trend Sparks Warnings Over Safety And Enforcement
Some social-media posts offer people a companion for Garba dances during Navratri.
The advertised packages reportedly begin at about Rs 1,000.
They may include dancing help, matching clothes, photographs and a pretend story about meeting.
Many of the posts may be jokes or fake advertisements.
Even so, police warned people that such offers could involve fraud or unsafe meetings with strangers.
The Bajrang Dal said it would oppose venues that promote the trend.
Event organisers said it would be difficult to know whether two people attending together had a paid arrangement.
Navratri is scheduled to run from October 11 to October 20.
Viral posts offer paid Garba companions from around Rs 1,000, with Silver, Gold and Platinum packages.
Many advertisements appear fake or satirical, but the trend has generated concern ahead of Navratri.
The Bajrang Dal warned it would identify and act against venues encouraging the trend.
Police in Maharashtra and Gujarat cautioned people about possible fraud and safety risks when meeting strangers.
Dandiya organisers said they could not realistically determine whether attendees had paid companions.
- Who
- The Bajrang Dal, Vishva Hindu Parishad, police departments in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and dandiya organisers are involved in the response.
- What
- Social-media advertisements offering paid Garba companions have prompted warnings about religious concerns, fraud, safety and enforcement.
- Where
- The issue concerns Garba and dandiya events in Maharashtra, with cautions also reported in Gujarat; one organiser cited an event in Borivali.
- When
- The warnings came ahead of Navratri, which is scheduled for October 11 through October 20, 2026.
- Why
- Groups cited concerns about the festival’s sanctity, while police warned of possible fraud and safety risks involving strangers.
Warnings And Restrictions
Organiser Practicality And Access
Paid-companion trend
Warnings And Restrictions
The Bajrang Dal said the trend affects the sanctity of a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and warned venues against encouraging it.
Organiser Practicality And Access
Organisers said advertisements may be fake or satirical and that venues would struggle to determine whether an attendee had paid for a companion.
Checking attendees
Warnings And Restrictions
The warning implies venues should monitor or act against activities viewed as inappropriate or disruptive.
Organiser Practicality And Access
Dandiya organiser Uday Naidu said venues cannot reasonably question couples about whether one person is a paid escort, especially when both have tickets.
Meeting advertised companions
Warnings And Restrictions
Police departments and political leaders in Maharashtra and Gujarat cautioned people about possible fraud and safety risks.
Organiser Practicality And Access
The article reports that the trend has attracted attention online, but does not establish that the advertised services are genuine.
Key facts
- Advertised starting price
- Around Rs 1,000
- Packages mentioned
- Silver, Gold and Platinum
- Navratri dates
- October 11 to October 20, 2026
- Festival conclusion
- Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra
- Police warning
- Possible fraud and safety risks when meeting strangers
- Bajrang Dal position
- It said it would identify and act against venues encouraging the trend
- Social-media reach
- One account discussing the trend has nearly 3.2 million followers
Quotes
Gautam Ravaria
Konkan convenor of the Bajrang Dal and VHP
“Garba is a festival dedicated to Mother Durga. Trends like this affect the sanctity of the festival. If Garba venues encourage this trend, the Bajrang Dal will take action in its own way.”
freepressjournal.in
“How can you accost a couple and ask them if one of them is a paid escort?”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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