'Nothing Wrong If Muslims Attend': Amruta Fadnavis Bats For Inclusive Garba Celebrations Amid Nitesh Rane's Remarks Around Love Jihad

· Free Press Journal

Mumbai: Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has backed an inclusive approach to religious celebrations, saying she sees nothing wrong with Muslims attending Navratri festivities, amid a growing controversy over restrictions on their entry at garba and dandiya events.

Amruta Fadnavis Bats For Inclusive Celebrations

Reacting to Rane’s comments, Amruta Fadnavis said festivals should be welcoming and that she did not see an issue with people from different communities participating. “If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

Her comments come against the backdrop of increasing political debate over who should be permitted to attend Hindu religious and cultural events.

The remarks came after BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane supported the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) call to restrict Muslim participation in Navratri events across the state.

The VHP recently announced that Muslims would not be allowed entry to garba and dandiya venues during Navratri, which begins on October 11. The organisation has also issued guidelines urging event organisers to verify attendees’ identities and check Aadhaar cards before allowing them entry.

Nitesh Rane Backs VHP's Stand

Rane, while supporting the VHP's position, alleged that incidents of 'love jihad' increase during festivals such as Navratri. He argued that people who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events. Rane also backed identity verification at garba and dandiya venues and suggested that attendees should recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry.

The VHP's proposed guidelines reportedly include checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on participants' foreheads as part of the verification process. The term 'love jihad' is used by right-wing activists to allege that Muslim men deliberately enter relationships with Hindu women with the intention of converting them to Islam. The term has been widely disputed, and the issue has remained politically contentious.

To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/ 

Read full story at source