A Navratri Garba event in Surat's Vesu area became embroiled in controversy when the presence of Muslim drummers on stage was opposed. Following the dispute, organizers and artists apologized and assured that Muslim artists would not be invited in the future.
Surat: The Navratri Garba event has once again found itself embroiled in controversy. Right-wing organizations objected to the presence of Muslim artists, causing the program to be halted for nearly an hour. As the matter escalated, organizers apologized and assured that no Muslim artists would be included in the Garba event in the coming years. This incident has raised new questions about religious harmony and the nature of cultural celebrations.
Dispute during Garba performance in the ground
On Monday night, a grand Garba event was organized in an open lawn in Surat's Vesu area. The event was managed by local event managers Dhaval Munjani and Prince Patel. A large number of people attended the celebration. The atmosphere was festive, but suddenly, members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad arrived at the venue, ascended the stage, and raised objections.
They alleged that the band from Mumbai included three Muslim drummers, which was contrary to tradition. During this, the debate between the organizers and the right-wing leaders intensified. The dispute escalated to such an extent that the police also had to arrive at the scene. However, before the situation worsened, the organizers apologized, and the atmosphere was calmed.
Organizers Apologize Over Controversy
The organizers explained that they have an annual contract with a band from Mumbai that includes both Hindu and Muslim artists. This same group has been performing at Navratri events in Surat for several years. According to the organizers, their sole objective is to make the cultural event successful, not to offend anyone.
However, following the objections from right-wing leaders and the escalation of the dispute, the organizers apologized from the stage. They publicly assured that Muslim artists would not be invited to the Garba event in the coming years. The organizers also stated that they would make every effort to avoid such controversies in the future.
Dispute Resolved in Police Presence
During this entire incident, the presence of the police played a significant role in controlling the situation. Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated that the dispute was resolved peacefully, and no one was mistreated or subjected to violence. He clarified that the administration wishes for all Navratri events in Surat to be conducted without any tension.
Gehlot also added that strict instructions have been given to the police force to keep a close watch on every event and to prevent any element attempting to disrupt the atmosphere. The objective of this police strictness is to ensure that there are no interruptions in cultural events and that people can enjoy the festival in a safe environment.
Religious Organizations Object to Muslim Artists
Nilesh Akbari, the provincial convenor of Bajrang Dal in South Gujarat, stated that Muslim artists had been warned last year as well, but the organizers invited them again this time. He asserted that Garba is an event linked to Hindu religious tradition, and the participation of Muslim artists in it is unacceptable.
Similarly, VHP leaders maintained the same stance. They believe that organizers should respect local religious sentiments. While accepting the apology offered by the organizers, they also reiterated that ber actions would be taken if such an incident recurs in the future. This statement clearly indicates that the controversy surrounding this issue is unlikely to subside in the coming days.
