Overview

• The VHP on Saturday advised garba organisers to allow only Hindus and to verify entrants with Aadhaar, citing fears of so-called 'love jihad'.
• Union minister Ramdas Athawale denounced the directive, asking who the VHP is to decide attendance and calling it an invitation to violence.
• He warned that any unrest linked to the advisory would be the VHP’s responsibility and pressed authorities to stop coercion or religious screening and ensure safety for organisers and participants.
• In Maharashtra, VHP spokesperson Shriraj Nair framed garba as worship, urged tilak and puja for entrants, and said VHP and Bajrang Dal workers would monitor events.
• Navratri celebrations, which traditionally feature garba and dandiya gatherings, are scheduled from September 22 to October 1 this year.