Remarks by two BJP MLAs about the participation of Muslims in Navratri Garba events have triggered a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh, with Congress leaders accusing them of making divisive statements.
‘Bring Your Sisters and Daughters’
BJP MLA from Bhopal’s Huzur constituency, Rameshwar Sharma, questioned why Muslim men who wanted to attend Garba events were not bringing women from their families.
“Bring your sisters and daughters. Our boys are also ready,” Sharma said at a public event in Bhopal.
He also said Muslims were welcome to attend Garba if they followed Hindu traditions. Sharma later stood by his remarks and warned against what he described as attempts to use Garba for “love jihad”.
“This is not entertainment. And if Muslims have developed so much love and attachment to Sanatan, then kindly, why do only their boys come? Come, bring your sisters and daughters, bring your mothers and fathers,” Sharma said on Tuesday.
He further alleged that Muslim men could attend Garba events to tease Hindu women or engage in what he called “love jihad”.
Another BJP MLA Opposes Non-Hindu Entry
Mhow MLA and former Madhya Pradesh minister Usha Thakur also spoke against the participation of non-Hindus in Garba events.
Thakur said people who did not worship Hindu deities should not be allowed to enter Garba venues. She also supported campaigns by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal seeking restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus.
Thakur claimed that 4.5 lakh Hindu women leave with people from other faiths every year and that around nine lakh children are born the following year. She did not provide an official source or data to support these figures.
The VHP had earlier called for restrictions on the entry of non-Hindu youth at Navratri and Garba events, alleging that some Muslim men enter such venues to establish relationships with Hindu women.
Congress, AIMIM Criticise Remarks
The remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders.
Congress state secretary Kunal Chowdhary accused BJP leaders of making statements that spread hatred and harm Madhya Pradesh’s image.
Bhopal Central Congress MLA Arif Masood called Sharma’s language inappropriate and asked him to “mend his ways”.
AIMIM Madhya Pradesh president Mohsin Ali Khan also criticised the remarks, saying they could divide people.
“I want to tell Rameshwar Sharma ji that what he has said definitely works to divide this country,” Khan said.
He also referred to constitutional protections for freedom of religion and said Sharma should read the Constitution.
