Nitesh Rane backs VHP call to bar Muslims from Navratri events

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane backed the VHP's call to restrict Muslim entry to Navratri garba and dandiya events, citing alleged 'love jihad' cases. He also sought uniform noise restrictions for religious processions and criticised opposition leaders

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has supported the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s call to bar Muslims from Navratri ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ events in the state, alleging that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such festivals.

Attendees at such festivities should undergo identity checks and recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry, the BJP leader said in an interview with PTI Videos on Monday.

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‘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.

The VHP last week announced that Muslims would not be allowed entry to ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ venues across the state during the upcoming Navratri festival and issued “guidelines” for organisers to verify participants’ identities by checking their Aadhaar cards and applying ’tilak’ on their foreheads.

The Navratri festival will begin on October 11.

Rane alleged that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such festivals.

“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,” the BJP leader said, extending his support to the VHP’s demand.

On the demand to curb DJ sound systems during the upcoming Ganesh festival, Rane 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.

Loud music was played late into the night during recent Eid processions, the minister claimed, adding that Hindus follow court orders and noise rules.

He also slammed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief 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 similarly discussed.

Some people are attempting to defame Hindu religion and Sanatan Dharma, the BJP minister asserted.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ student outreach campaign, Rane alleged that the Congress leader was raising issues related to Manusmriti and Hindu traditions only 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,” Rane said.

He also targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray in connection with the death of former celebrity manager Disha Salian.

Rane questioned why Thackeray’s lawyer had filed an intervention application before the court if the legislator had no connection with the matter.

“It is about the gangrape and murder of a woman and not a political issue,” he claimed.

On September 2, the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and pulled up the Mumbai Police for failing to register an FIR for six years, observing that their probe “raises more questions than answers”.

Rane said all aspects of the case will come out now.