VHP's 'Hindu only' diktat for garba 'open invitation for violence': Union minister Ramdas Athawale
Mumbai(PTI): Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday criticised the Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) advisory that only Hindus should be given entry to 'garba' events during Navratri, saying such calls were tantamount to "inviting violence".
Navratri, marked by traditional spiritual garba dance accompanied by dandiya (striking of colourful sticks) performance where pairs dance in circles, will be celebrated from September 22 to October 1.
The VHP on Saturday said only Hindus should be given entry to 'garba' events and advised organisers to check the Aadhaar card of entrants for identification to avoid instances of "love jihad".
A leader of the VHP said the entry of non-Hindus should be restricted during garba, which he described as a sacred worship, and not merely a dance programme or a cultural event.
Athawale in a post on X objected to the VHP's diktat.
"I strongly condemn this! Who is the Vishva Hindu Parishad to decide who will go to Garba and who will not? This advisory is not just limited to instructing organisers but is an open invitation for some radical elements to incite violence and use force," he claimed.
"If any clashes, assaults or religious conflicts occur anywhere in the country during Navratri because of this advisory, the complete responsibility will rest with the VHP and its associated organisations," the Union Minister of State for Social Justice added.
Athawale said such moves strike at the heart of India's unity, diversity and religious tolerance.
"Navratri is a festival of worship and joy, and an attempt is being made to turn it into a platform for hate and suspicion, which is highly condemnable," the Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief said.
He pointed out that the Constitution guarantees equality and religious freedom under Articles 14, 15 and 25.
"No organisation can decide who should celebrate a festival. Garba is not just a religious tradition but also a celebration of music, dance and social harmony. Attempting to monopolise it with one ideology is unfair and regressive," the minister noted.
Athawale urged the government and administration to ensure the safety of organisers and participants during Navratri.
"Any attempts at coercion, identity checks or religious discrimination must be strictly stopped under law. Navratri belongs to everyone - its essence lies in participation and peace, not exclusion," he noted.
Today's younger generation wants progress, inclusivity and celebration, not "the politics of hate or intimidation," he added.
मैं कड़ी निंदा करता हूँ! विश्व हिंदू परिषद कौन होती है तय करने वाली कि गरबा में कौन जाएगा और कौन नहीं?#SayNoToDiscrimination #Navratri2025 #VHPControversy #GarbaForAll
— Dr.Ramdas Athawale (@RamdasAthawale) September 21, 2025
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West Asia war: Vessel carrying 20,000 tonnes of LPG reaches Gujarat crossing Strait of Hormuz
Kandla (Gujarat) (PTI): A vessel carrying 20,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) arrived at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla in Gujarat after crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia crisis, officials said on Sunday.
The Marshall Islands-flagged MV SYMI started its journey from Qatar and docked at the port in Kandla around 11.30 pm on Saturday after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on May 13, they added.
Since early March, 13 India-flagged vessels, comprising 12 LPG tankers and one crude oil tanker, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass.
It has been severely disrupted by the conflict in West Asia that started on February 28, with the US and Israel launching joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes. It has resulted in one of the worst energy crisis the world has seen in recent decades.
Incidentally, at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish said targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable".
On May 13, an India-flagged commercial vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman.
Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel sailing from Somalia, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike.
