Stories
Muslim Exclusion And Protests Spark Controversy At Gujarat Garba Events
- •Hindu right-wing groups including the VHP and Bajrang Dal have sought to restrict Muslims and non-Hindus from attending or working at Navratri garba events across Gujarat.
- •Incidents ranging from forced exits and identity card checks to protests over Muslim musicians have been reported in cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Bhavnagar.
- •At an event featuring folk singer Aditya Gadhvi, an anchor publicly asked Muslims to leave, triggering widespread criticism and distancing by the artist.
- •Police across the state have intervened in various confrontations, initiated inquiries into complaints, and detained protesters while focusing on maintaining law and order.
- •The controversies contrast sharply with UNESCO recognition of garba as an inclusive cultural tradition that promotes unity and social equality across diverse communities.
Key Questions Answered
An anchor announced from the stage that Muslims and people of other faiths should voluntarily leave the venue, claiming the VHP had come to protect Hindus and providing a helpline number. Folk singer Aditya Gadhvi later distanced himself from the incident, stating that a group took over the backstage area without his or the anchor's consultation.
The VHP alleged that Razzak Pathan's event identity card identified him as Aayush Patel, claiming that the name on his Aadhaar card did not match the badge he carried while scanning entry passes at the United Way of Baroda venue. Event representatives stated they did not directly employ workers and that a sub-vendor may have engaged him.
In 2023, UNESCO inscribed Gujarat's garba on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO described it as a collective celebration fostering unity in diversity, social equality, and social bonds by bringing together people of different genders, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.
