Athawale: Barring Muslims From Garba Events Violates Constitution

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday rejected the Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) call to bar Muslims from Navratri 'garba' and 'dandiya' events in Maharashtra, asserting that such a move is unconstitutional.

Speaking to reporters at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Chhattisgarh, Athawale said India is governed by the Constitution, which guarantees equal rights to people of all religions. He stressed that people of different faiths have the right to participate in each other's festivals.

"I feel this stand is not right because India runs on the Constitution. The Constitution given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar ensures justice to all religions," Athawale said. He listed Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Lingayats, and Parsis as communities protected under the constitutional framework.

The minister, who heads the Republican Party of India, said it is not good to suggest that Muslims should not attend garba. He called on Hindu and Muslim communities to come together and work for the country, citing the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan as an example where a large number of Hindus visit.

The VHP last week announced that Muslims would not be allowed entry to garba and dandiya venues across Maharashtra during Navratri, which begins on October 11. The organisation has issued guidelines for organisers to verify participants' identities by checking Aadhaar cards and applying 'tilak' on their foreheads.

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane backed the VHP on Monday, alleging that cases of "love jihad" tend to increase during such festivals. He suggested attendees should undergo identity checks and recite the Hanuman Chalisa before entry. "Love jihad" is a term used by right-wing activists to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure women into relationships for religious conversion.

Athawale asserted that India is a country where people of all religions should participate in each other's festivals, and those taking a contrary stand are opposing the Constitution.