A Muslim anchor was allegedly forced to leave a Dandiya event in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi after the venue owner refused to switch on the sound system until she left the stage. Event organizer Mayank Anuragi claimed that the owner had informed him the function would not proceed if the Muslim anchor remained. The program reportedly began only after she exited.
The incident follows the assault of a Muslim youth in Kanpur by members of a Hindu nationalist group after he reportedly attempted to attend a Garba-Dandiya event held as part of the Navratri celebrations.
Reports indicate that as the female anchor took the stage, the venue owner cut off the microphone and power supply, insisting she leave before resuming operations.
Anuragi said, the anchor’s involvement was publicly announced and advertised across the city. The anchor herself pointed that artists do not belong to any caste or religion, adding, “I have previously hosted similar events and I want to promote Indian culture.”
Previously, members of Hindu nationalist groups disrupted a Dandiya event in Jhansi after organizers resisted demands to verify attendees’ Aadhar cards.
In Kanpur, videos of a Muslim youth allegedly being questioned about his religion and then beaten went viral, leading police to launch an investigation.
The attack came soon after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members urged police in Kanpur to restrict non-Hindus from organizing Garba and Dandiya events during Navratri. Similar altercations have recently been reported in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh with some events facing cancellation.
