Stories
Garba Fight: Rent-A-Partner Trend, Aadhaar Checks & Non-Hindu Participation Claims Spark Controversy
- •Social media posts offering 'Garba partners on rent' for Navratri have prompted an Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell investigation into potential fraud and scams.
- •The 'Rent A Garba Partner' concept involves tiered packages for companions, with prices varying based on duration and services like matching outfits and dance tutorials.
- •Hindu organizations have criticized the commercialization of Navratri, questioning the need for rented partners and emphasizing the festival's religious significance.
- •Ahmedabad police warn against suspicious payment links and attachments, highlighting risks of phishing, account compromise, and financial fraud associated with these posts.
- •Former Madhya Pradesh minister Usha Thakur and VHP advocate for stricter entry rules at Garba venues, including Aadhaar checks, citing concerns over non-Hindu participation and alleged 'love jihad'.
Key Questions Answered
The viral social media advertisements offered partners through tiered packages, including a Silver plan costing Rs 1,000 for two hours, a Gold plan priced at Rs 1,500 for four hours, and a Platinum package costing up to Rs 2,000 for an entire night, or higher amounts for extended packages.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell warned that the viral advertisements and associated payment links or attachments could potentially be connected to fraud, phishing schemes, and financial scams designed to compromise bank accounts or messaging applications.
Hindu organisations criticized the trend for commercialising a festival traditionally dedicated to the worship of Maa Shakti and celebrated through family and community gatherings, questioning the intent and necessity behind the rented partner advertisements.
