Bring sisters, chant Jai Shri Ram: BJP MLA's remarks on Muslims attending garba spark row

A political row has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said Muslims who want to attend Garba events during Navratri should bring their "sisters and daughters" and chant "Jai Shri Ram". The remarks drew strong criticism from the Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which accused the Huzur legislator of trying to inflame communal tensions and divide society.

Sharma refused to withdraw his remarks and repeated them on Tuesday, saying Garba is a form of worship of Goddess Jagdamba and not entertainment. He said Muslims could take part in Garba if they came with their families, chanted "Jai Shri Ram" and put a tilak on their foreheads.

Addressing an event on Monday, Sharma questioned why Muslim youths came to Garba venues alone and said they should bring their family members along. "This won't cause any problem to anyone. Why should only boys come alone? Bring your sisters and daughters from home as well," he said, adding, "humare bhi Ghode tayar hain." He also said that if members of the Muslim community wished to participate in Garba, they could do so permanently if they chanted "Jai Shri Ram" and applied a tilak during the festivities.

Speaking to PTI Videos on Tuesday, Sharma stood by his position. "If Muslims have developed such love and affection for the Sanatan religion, please do not come alone. Bring your sisters and daughters, bring your parents," he said. He added that Garba is "a grand festival of the Sanatan society" and said, "This is not entertainment."

The MLA further said, "If you come to Garba and molest Hindu sisters and daughters and commit acts like love jihad, then the youth of India, the sons of India are ready to protect Sanatan."

Senior Congress leader Arif Masood called Sharma "Nafrati Chintu" and said the remarks were "highly objectionable". He told PTI Videos, "First of all, Muslims have nothing to do with Garba. Nor do they have anything to do with it. Second, the language Rameshwar Sharma is using...I would tell him to mend his ways. Don't be rude. This is going too far. Don't be so rude."

Mohsin Ali Khan, president of the Madhya Pradesh unit of AIMIM, also condemned Sharma's statement and accused him of repeatedly trying to divide society. Khan said Sharma should read the Constitution and speak to senior Muslim leaders in his own party, including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain, before making such remarks.

The controversy grew after Sharma repeated his comments despite the backlash, while the Congress and AIMIM said the remarks were divisive and objectionable. The exchange has put the focus on his comments about Muslim participation in Garba during Navratri.