‘Festivals are inclusive’: Amruta Fadnavis differs with VHP’s call to keep Muslims out of garba events
Amruta Fadnavis has publicly disagreed with the VHP's call to exclude Muslims from Navratri garba events in Maharashtra, advocating for inclusivity. The controversy involves political figures debating religious identity, 'love jihad' allegations, and the regulation of public festivals.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious freedom, social integration, and political polarization in India.
Amid a controversy over the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)'s call to keep Muslims out of garba and dandiya events in Maharashtra, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has said festivals are inclusive and there is nothing wrong with Muslims attending the celebrations.Her remarks come days after the VHP announced that Muslims would not be allowed to participate in garba and dandiya events across the state during Navratri, which begins on October 11. Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has backed the VHP’s call, alleging that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such festivals, news agency PTI reported.“If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it,” Amruta Fadnavis told reporters.Actor Shreyas Talpade also spoke against the call to bar Muslims from Navratri events, saying, “We have been enjoying all festivals together for so many years...…
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