Dance of Identity: Prove you are a Hindu and only then can enter Ujjain garba events

Ahead of the nationwide Navratri celebrations, the organisers of dandiya and garba activities in Ujjain have reportedly decided to ban all non-Hindus from attending these events. The decision has been taken in order to prevent love-jihad incidents from happening. The organisers have reportedly put up posters in Ujjain that prohibit non-Hindus from joining the Navratri celebrations. The purpose of the posters is to stop love jihad incidents. The statement states that before allowing guests to enter the Garba event, the organizers are verifying their identification through Aadhar cards. The administrative authorities have also endorsed the action in the interim. “It is their private function, and they have issued passes for entry to the event. What is the problem with this?” stated Ujjain SP Sachin Sharma. Sankalp Sanskrit Sanstha, the organizer, further stipulated that each male participant of Garba must be “welcomed with a tilak.” The Times of India cited Sanstha president Bahadur Singh Rathore as saying, “The tilak will deter non-Hindus.” Navratri Garba, a well celebrated event in these parts, is reportedly being held for the fifth year in a row on a public site close to Nanakheda on the Indore-Ujjain road. It is estimated that more than 5,000 people have come to the festivities thus far. Announcements on the event’s entry requirements are being made by the organizers. Rathore went on to say that although the organizers are not opposed to any faith, the decision was made in order to protect the women. “We want to stop love-jihad and restrict entry to those who are trying to spread animosity, but we are not against any religion.” Rathore claimed that Garba gatherings were intended to trick Hindu females into marrying men from other religions. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Gujarat had earlier, on October 7, requested that the government take action to guarantee that no Islamists access the holy pandal in order to entice Hindu women to convert.