A political controversy has erupted after Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma has delivered a strong remake surrounding the Garba events.
Speaking at a public event, Sharma, who is the BJP legislator in the Huzur constituency, Bhopal, said that Muslims are welcome to attend Garba and said that they should be “welcomed” permanently. He follows this suggestion with a controversial remark, saying, “Why do Muslim boys alone want to come to Garba? Bring your sisters and daughters along from home too; our boys are also ready.”
“Come, chant Jai Shri Ram. Apply tilak on your forehead. Protect mother cow. Does anyone have a problem?” he asked.
“And don’t come to watch Garba, but yourself perform the worship festival of the Goddess, play Garba, take Maa Jagdamba’s prasad…” he said.
“If attempts are made to turn Garba into a spectacle or to engage in ‘Love Jihad’ there, the youth are ready to retaliate. Young people should serve their parents and protect their sisters. They should also be prepared to eliminate ‘demons’ while seeking the blessings of Goddess Jagdamba,” he said.
“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.
Condemning the statement, the Congress MLA Arif Masood described it as “highly objectionable,” “extremely vile and cheap,” and “filthy.”
“Rameshwar Sharma’s statement is extremely vile and cheap. I would simply say, “Mend your ways.” Stop being insolent. Do not spew such filthy remarks,” he said.
“Sharma should mend his ways, or the public will set him straight. For starters, Muslims do not attend Garba; they have nothing to do with it. The language used is extremely offensive,” he added.
AIMIM Madhya Pradesh president Mohsin Ali Khan, meanwhile, criticized Sharma’s remarks, saying the BJP MLA should read the Constitution and that such statements contribute to divisions in the country. Khan also advised Sharma to speak to BJP leaders, including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain.
Addressing BJP’s Muslim leaders, Khan asked whether Sanwar Patel, Jamal Siddiqui, and Syed Zafar Islam would take their own sisters and daughters to Garba after Sharma’s remarks.
Objections to Muslims attending Garba events have also come repeatedly from right-wing groups and some political leaders. They have alleged that Muslim men attend the festivals to “target” Hindu girls, while organizers and right-wing groups have called for Aadhaar checks at entry gates to verify attendees’ religion.
