BJP allows Muslims to attend Mumbai garba event but conditions apply

Muslims will not be allowed to attend this year's biggest garba event in Mumbai's Borivali, BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay said, while former party MP Gopal Shetty said those wishing to participate should wear a tilak and follow Hindu rituals.The remarks were made at a press conference held on Sunday after the groundbreaking ceremony for next month's Borivali garba event, which will feature Dandiya singer Geeta Rabari and Garba performer Falguni Pathak.Upadhyay said Muslims would not be allowed entry to the event and asked those wishing to attend to come with their wife, sister or daughter, wear a tilak and worship the Goddess. “Have faith in Sanatan Dharma and then come back. This is not a place for love jihad,” Upadhyay said.Shetty took a somewhat different position, saying Muslims could be allowed to enter if they wore a tilak. He said Hindus wear caps when attending Muslim religious events. He argued that Muslims should similarly have no objection to wearing a tilak when attending Hindu festivals. Garba event organiser Santosh Singh said special security arrangements had been made for the event and entry would be allowed only after Aadhaar card verification.BORIVALI EVENT AMID CALLS TO BAN MUSLIMS FROM GARBAThe upcoming garba programme came amid a wider controversy in Maharashtra over the participation of Muslims in garba and dandiya events during Navratri. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) had earlier called for Muslims to be kept out of garba and dandiya events across Maharashtra during Navratri.The outfit issued guidelines, urging organisers to verify attendees' identities through Aadhaar cards and apply tilak on their foreheads. The VHP argued that Garba and Dandiya events are centred on worship of Hindu goddesses.The VHP's call has drawn criticism from Opposition leaders and the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, with critics questioning the exclusion of Muslims from public festivities and the constitutional validity of such restrictions.Maharashtra minister and firebrand BJP leader Nitesh Rane subsequently backed the VHP's position, saying people who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events. He also supported identity checks for those attending Garba and said participants should recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry.Navratri begins on October 11 this year, with Garba and Dandiya events scheduled across Maharashtra during the festival.- Ends(with inputs from Shivshankar Tiwari)Published On: Sep 21, 2026 13:36 IST