Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri has once again found himself in the spotlight after his recent remarks on the Garba festival went viral on social media. His statement, made just days before the Navratri celebrations, has triggered widespread discussions across Madhya Pradesh and beyond. While some groups are supporting his views, others have criticized them, calling it an attempt to divide communities.
The Statement That Went Viral
During a religious gathering in Chhatarpur’s Lavkushnagar, Dhirendra Shastri compared the Hindu festival of Garba with the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. He said, “Just as Hindus do not participate in Hajj, Muslims should also refrain from attending Garba events.” According to him, Garba is a sacred form of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga, and it should only be attended by those who believe in Sanatan Dharma.
He further suggested that Garba organizers should keep gau mutra (cow urine, considered holy in Hindu tradition) at the entrance gates of pandals, so that only true devotees who respect Hindu culture would participate in the celebrations.
Strict Rules by Hindu Organizations
In Bhopal, the Shri Krishna Seva Samiti has also taken a strong stand on the entry of non-Hindus in Garba pandals. The committee issued a warning stating that any non-Hindu trying to participate would be subjected to a ritual of “ghar wapsi” (return to Hindu faith) by sprinkling cow urine and offering gangajal.
The Samiti also announced strict rules for Garba attendees:
- Tilak and Kalava – Devotees must wear a tilak on the forehead and a sacred thread (kalava) on the wrist.
- Aadhaar Verification – Identity cards will be checked before entry.
- Ritual Purification – Some pandals will require participants to sip gangajal and gau mutra before entering.
- Respect to Deities – Participants must bow before pictures of Lord Varaha and Goddess Durga.
Shri Krishna Seva Samiti president Gopal Tomar said, “Those who respect Sanatan Dharma, honor women, and worship the goddess are welcome. But those who insult our traditions will not be allowed.” Youth volunteers were even seen standing outside pandals with sticks, symbolizing their readiness to enforce the rules.
Political Reactions
The issue quickly took a political turn. BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma backed the restrictions, claiming that Garba is a sacred Hindu tradition and should not be diluted by outsiders. On the other hand, Congress MLA Arif Masood strongly opposed the move, accusing the ruling party of creating religious divisions. He said that stopping non-Hindus from participating in Garba was against the spirit of India’s cultural unity.
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Dhirendra Shastri’s Stand
As the controversy grew, Dhirendra Shastri reiterated his position. He said, “Garba is not just a dance, it is worship of our Mother Goddess. Just as Hindus never interfere in Hajj or other religious practices of Muslims, they should also stay away from Garba. This is not discrimination, but respect for boundaries of faith.”
He also urged Garba organizers across Madhya Pradesh to implement his suggested guidelines, including keeping cow urine at entry points. According to him, this symbolic practice would ensure that only genuine devotees join the festivities.
Divided Public Opinion
The public reaction has been deeply divided. Supporters of Dhirendra Shastri see his remarks as a way to protect Sanatan Dharma and prevent what they call “love jihad” during religious gatherings. They argue that festivals like Navratri should remain purely spiritual and free from unwanted influence.
However, critics believe that such restrictions damage India’s social harmony. Many activists have condemned the idea of checking Aadhaar cards and enforcing rituals as a violation of personal freedom. They also argue that festivals should be inclusive, not exclusive.
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Conclusion
With Navratri approaching, the debate around Garba has taken center stage in Madhya Pradesh. The comments by Dhirendra Shastri and the tough stance of Hindu organizations have sparked heated arguments across political and social platforms. While one side sees it as a defense of faith, the other sees it as unnecessary polarization.
Whether these rules will be strictly enforced in the upcoming Garba nights remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – this Navratri, the focus is not just on devotion and dance, but also on the controversy surrounding Dhirendra Shastri’s viral statement.
