Mumbai: Barely a week after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke about universal oneness at an event in New York,
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided to bar Muslims from attending garba and dandiya events during next month’s 10-day Navratri celebration across Maharashtra.
The right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation has issued do’s and don’ts for the organisers. To verify Hindu identities, Aadhaar cards will have to be checked and all attendees must some with tilak on their foreheads.
“We have taken the decision not to allow Muslim participation in garba-dandiya dance during the Navratri festival,” VHP national spokesperson and joint secretary Shriraj Nair said.
“The Navratri festival is not just about song and dance. The festival is about worshipping the Goddess. Why should Muslims who are against idol worship participate in the festival?” Nair argued.
At the same time, he said not allowing Muslims to attend Navratri events does not mean the VHP is against any community.
“The VHP, which is unwilling to compromise on its core agenda of religious conversion and anti-cow slaughter, believes festivals are an integral part of the cultural legacy of the Hindus. And it cannot allow its dilution. However, it admits the restrictions are precautionary measures and not directed against Muslims or any other communities,” Nair elaborated.
The Navratri ban on Muslims comes a week after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address at a gathering in New York’s Madison Square, where he emphasised that if any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in India, he will not remain Hindu.
“If you want to call yourself a Hindu, you have to believe that all paths are leading to the same Goal. Every human has dignity. There is no difference between human beings.”
Nair refused to comment on Bhagwat’s remark. “We don’t comment on the RSS chief’s statement… We are not against anybody. We also believe in social harmony and peace,” the VHP official said.
