Bhopal, September 22 (IANS) The nine-day Navratri Festival began with the enthusiasm and idols of Goddess Durga in every road and colonies, spreading an atmosphere of celebration among the Hindu community across Madhya Pradesh.
Apart from colorful ‘pandals’, in different forms, in different content and idols of Goddess Durga, Garba dance (colored clothes and folk dances in small rods), which is an integral part of Navratri festival, is also being organized on a large scale.
However, disputes and nuisance in Garba pandals during Navratri have been a major concern in Madhya Pradesh, especially in large cities – Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khandwa, Khargon, etc.
The dispute during Navratri began after displaying several posters outside a Garba pandal in Bhopal with clear instructions, which mentioned that entry would be prohibited for people of non-Hindu communities.
Right -wing organizations like Sanskrit Bachao Manch, Indian Yuva Morch, etc. have put up posters with objectionable slogans like “Jihadis will not be allowed in Garba pandals”.
Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including MLAS – Bhagwandas Sabnani, Rameshwar Sharma and Bhopal MP Alok Sharma have given statements to the media that entry inside Garba pandals will be allowed only after a close investigation of respect cards and ’tilak’.
Bhopal MP Alok Sharma said, “One should not believe in Murati Puja and Sanatan Dharma.
There is a BJP MLA from Hujur assembly constituency in Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma told IANS on Monday that people participating in Garba pandals should need to wear tilak on their foreheads, participate in the offerings of the goddess, participate in the offerings, wearing dhoti-kurta, and ideally to bring with their parents and relatives.
BJP leaders said that no western clothes (including backless dress) should be allowed in any garba pandal.
He said that the festival should be celebrated in a traditional Indian way, and it should be mandatory to wear traditional Indian dress.
Similar concerns were raised by BJP leaders and members of right -wing organizations from other parts of the state.
Madhyav Jha, Khandwa District Convenor of Hindu Jagran Manch, said that admission should be given only on the presentation of valid identity proof.
“Garba is a Hindu festival, so non-Hindus should not be allowed to participate,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Usha Thakur supported these demands.
“It is time for our religious leaders to ensure that Garba pandals are organized only by true ‘seekers’ (spiritual fans). The trend of women and girls is participating in the events of garba or participating in an inappropriate dress, worrying. Only traditional clothing should be allowed in the festival spirit.”
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