{"id":14270,"date":"2025-09-20T18:19:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T18:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/20\/tilak-raksha-sutra-vhps-hindus-only-diktat-for-garba-entry-stirs-political-row-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T18:19:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T18:19:58","slug":"tilak-raksha-sutra-vhps-hindus-only-diktat-for-garba-entry-stirs-political-row-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/20\/tilak-raksha-sutra-vhps-hindus-only-diktat-for-garba-entry-stirs-political-row-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Tilak, Raksha Sutra: VHP&#8217;s &#8216;Hindus Only&#8217; Diktat For Garba Entry Stirs Political Row | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9586402\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">September 20, 2025, 23:41 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9586402\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026 asubttl-schema\">The VHP issued a directive requiring a tilak, sacred thread, and puja for entry into garba events, aiming to restrict non-Hindus from participating in the festivities.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b artsharwrp\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en-btn\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"jsx-91f4da8d48c13a79 gglebtn bgorg\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" title=\"font\" class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The VHP has issued a directive to restrict the entry of non-Muslims in Garba events. (Representative Image)\" title=\"The VHP has issued a directive to restrict the entry of non-Muslims in Garba events. (Representative Image)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The VHP has issued a directive to restrict the entry of non-Muslims in Garba events. (Representative Image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has come up with a set of requirements, including a \u2019tilak\u2019 on the forehead and a \u2018raksha sutra\u2019 (sacred thread), in order for Navratri devotees to get entry into Garba events. This step has been taken to ensure that only Hindus attend these events.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">As part of the VHP\u2019s \u2018Hindus Only\u2019 diktat, garba event organisers will check Aadhaar cards at entry points, apply \u2019tilak\u2019 on their foreheads and ensure that they offer prayers before they are allowed to enter the Garba events. This step has been taken to prevent \u2018Love Jihad\u2019, a term used for the alleged conversion of Hindu women by Muslim men.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">Cow urine, or \u2018gaumutra\u2019, will also be sprinkled on attendees, <em>NDTV<\/em> reported, citing the organisation\u2019s Vidarbha general secretary Prashant Titre. Furthermore, VHP and Bajrang Dal workers will monitor the events to prevent the entry of non-Hindus during garba.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">\u201cGarba is not merely a dance but a form of worship to please the goddess. They (apparent reference to Muslims) do not believe in idol worship. Only those having faith in the rituals must be allowed to participate,&#8221; VHP national spokesperson told news agency <em>PTI<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">VHP\u2019s Vidarbha convenor, Navin Jain, said garba was not merely a dance programme or a cultural event but also a form of sacred worship. \u201cEvery participant should be asked to bow before the goddess\u2019 picture at the entrance,&#8221; he told reporters in Nagpur on Saturday. Any kind of intoxication or smoking will also be banned from the programmes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">\u201cIn the last few years, it has been seen that Hindu girls have been targeted for love jihad, prompting us to appeal to garba organisers to not allow such people,&#8221; Jain said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\"><strong>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/india\/wont-be-spared-bhopal-bjp-mps-warning-to-love-jihadis-over-garba-participation-ws-kl-9581840.html\">\u2018Won\u2019t Be Spared\u2019: Bhopal BJP MP\u2019s Warning To \u2018Love Jihadis\u2019 Over Garba Participation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>BJP vs Congress Over VHP Move<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">Reacting to the VHP\u2019s stand, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said organisers have the right to set such conditions of entry at an event. \u201cThe only decisive factor is whether the event has police permission. The organising committees must take decisions based on that,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">Maharashtra BJP media chief Navnath Ban also echoed the statements of VHP leaders, saying \u201cthose from other religions should not interfere while Hindus perform garba and worship the goddess.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the VHP was attempting to create a communal atmosphere in the country. \u201cCreating a communal atmosphere and this country is their livelihood. I am not talking about equal respect for all religions, but the way this poison is being spread does not behove Maharashtra or the country,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"11\" class=\"story_para_11\">Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the VHP of dividing the society for political benefits. \u201cThey want to divide society over religion and reap political benefits out of it. What VHP has said is nothing new. The organisation is born with an intention to destabilise the country,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p id=\"12\" class=\"story_para_12\">BJP\u2019s Ban hit back at Wadettiwar, saying, \u201cThey (Congress) are the ones who caused rifts in society. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government (of which the Congress was a part) failed to protect Maratha reservation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"13\" class=\"story_para_13\"><em>(with inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aveek Banerjee\" title=\"Aveek Banerjee\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2024\/11\/aveek-banerjee-2024-11-940460633d45861efbabed5737a433a0.jpeg?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/aveek-banerjee-28106.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Aveek Banerjee<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master&#8217;s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master&#8217;s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>September 20, 2025, 23:41 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/\">politics<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> Tilak, Raksha Sutra: VHP&#8217;s &#8216;Hindus Only&#8217; Diktat For Garba Entry Stirs Political Row<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1248756026 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/tilak-raksha-sutra-vhp-hindus-only-diktat-for-garba-entry-stirs-political-row-ws-l-9586402.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:September 20, 2025, 23:41 IST The VHP issued a directive requiring a tilak, sacred thread, and puja for entry into garba events, aiming to restrict non-Hindus from participating in the festivities. The VHP has issued a directive to restrict the entry of non-Muslims in Garba events. (Representative Image) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14270"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14270\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}