The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for mandatory Aadhaar checks at Dandiya events in Hyderabad during Navratri, aiming to verify participants’ religious backgrounds.
VHP state spokesperson R Shashidhar issued a statement on Sunday, urging event organizers to implement Aadhaar verification to safeguard the cultural essence of the celebrations.
Additionally, the VHP recommended that attendees wear a tilak (red vermillion) on their foreheads and a kalva (red thread) on their wrists for easy identification.
The VHP has also recommended that participants apply a tilak (red vermillion) on their foreheads and wear a red thread (kalava) on their wrists as a visible identifier.
Shashidhar expressed disappointment with the Hyderabad police, alleging inaction in preventing non-Hindu individuals from joining Dandiya gatherings. He warned that any untoward incidents resulting from the participation of non-Hindu attendees would be the responsibility of law enforcement and the government.
This directive came on the heels of a complaint filed by Bajrang Sena Telangana, which reported that non-Hindu individuals allegedly disrupted a Dandiya event organized by Namdhari Events at S S Convention in Hyderabad.
In a complaint submitted to DCP Shamshabad, Bajrang Sena Telangana President N R Laxman Rao alleged that a group of non-Hindu individuals had entered the event, allegedly disrupting the gathering and “hurting” the sentiments of Hindu participants.
In response to the complaint, Namdhari Events clarified through a video post on social media that the individuals in question were part of the event’s management team and not participants.
However, Bajrang Sena argued that the organizers’ stance only exacerbated the issue, accusing them of protecting those involved rather than addressing concerns raised by the community.
Both the VHP and Bajrang Sena have urged authorities to enforce stricter entry verification at future Dandiya events to avoid similar situations.
