Rise in love jihad: Maha minister backs VHP's call to bar Muslim from garba event

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has backed the Vishva Hindu Parishad's call to bar Muslims from Navratri garba and dandiya events in the state, claiming that cases of 'love jihad' tend to rise during such festivals. He said people attending these events should undergo identity checks and recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry.

In an interview with PTI Videos on Monday, the BJP leader also spoke on other issues, including restrictions on DJ sound systems during Ganesh festival celebrations, reported remarks by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on alleged vulgar dances during Kanwar Yatra events, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign, and the Disha Salian death case.

'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing activists to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure women, mostly from the Hindu community, into relationships for religious conversion.

Last week, the VHP announced that Muslims would not be allowed entry to 'garba' and 'dandiya' venues across Maharashtra during the upcoming Navratri festival. It also issued 'guidelines' for organisers to verify participants' identities by checking Aadhaar cards and applying 'tilak' on their foreheads. Navratri will begin on October 11.

Rane said, "Those who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events. Those coming for garba should show their identity and chant the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry," while extending support to the VHP's demand.

On the demand to curb DJ sound systems during the upcoming Ganesh festival, he said the rules should be applied uniformly to all religious processions. "If DJs are not permitted during Ganesh festival celebrations, similar restrictions should apply to Eid processions as well," he said.

Rane also claimed that loud music was played late into the night during recent Eid processions and said Hindus follow court orders and noise rules.

He also criticised Raj Thackeray over his reported remarks on alleged vulgar dances during Kanwar Yatra events in parts of Uttar Pradesh, asking why criticism was directed only at Hindu practices while statements by Muslim clerics were not discussed in the same way. Rane said some people were trying to defame the Hindu religion and Sanatan Dharma.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi over the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' student outreach campaign, he alleged that the Congress leader was raising issues related to Manusmriti and Hindu traditions to malign Hindu culture. 'Chhatron ki Goonj is being held to defame Hindus and Sanatan Dharma. People will teach them (Congress) a lesson in the elections,' he said.

Rane also targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray in connection with former celebrity manager Disha Salian's death case. He questioned why Thackeray's lawyer had filed an intervention application before the court if the legislator had no connection with the matter, and claimed it was about the gangrape and murder of a woman, not a political issue.

On September 2, the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into Salian's death and pulled up the Mumbai Police for not registering an FIR for six years, observing that their probe 'raises more questions than answers'. Rane said all aspects of the case would come out now.