CM’s wife frowns at VHP

Mumbai: A month before the first ‘dandiya’ beats of Navratri, Maharashtra politics hotted up with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s diktat to ‘keep Muslims out” at venues – supported by sections of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ celeb-wife Amruta has taken an opposing stance, on Wednesday.

In an unexpected deviation, Amruta said that all festivals should be ‘inclusive’ and feels nothing is wrong if Muslims participate in the much-anticipated 10-night garba-dandiya celebrations beginning October 11.

“If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it,” she said, reacting to the VHP’s call, which BJP’s state cabinet minister has endorsed.

The VHP Joint Secretary Shriraj Nair has asked organisers to check Aadhaar Cards of the revellers, ensure ‘tilak’ applied on their foreheads and other safeguards, arguing that Navratri is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, and since Muslims don’t believe in idol worship they cannot be permitted at the festival venues.

Backing the VHP, Rane mooted an extra check-level, demanding that participants should be asked "to recite the Hanuman Chalisa", claiming that investigations into allegations of 'Love Jihad' (interfaith liaisons) had thrown up instances of such things emerging through festivals.

Hitting out, Raut described the VHP as the new “Maulvis” (Muslim Clerics) of the Hindus and pointed to the apparent contradiction of the VHP vis-à-vis the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement advocating Hindu-Muslim unity in New York. “We want that Bhagwat should publicly clarify whether the RSS agrees with the VHP’s exclusionary diktat,” Raut said.

Though the CM has kept mum on the sensitive issue as Navratri – like Ganeshotsav or Diwali of Holi - has long transcended their community-specific roots to become mass metropolitan celebrations attracting people across communities to the ‘dance floor’.

Film actor Shreyas Talpade said Hindus and Muslims have celebrated their festivals together for years and called the issue ‘more of a political question’. “I have always enjoyed every festival wholeheartedly, and I will continue to do so,” he said.

Opposition bats for 'inclusivity'

Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena - UBT): Who gave them (VHP) the authority to grant such ‘Hindutva certificates’ by asking for Aadhaar Cards? All public festivals in Mumbai are historically celebrated as ‘inclusive and belong to everyone beyond the barriers of religion or caste’.

Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress: By issuing such discriminatory and exclusionary guidelines, the VHP is attempting to “set society on fire”.

Clyde Crasto, NCP (SP): This diktat is bound to disturb the peace and social harmony of the state, during the festival season.

Ramdas Athawale, RPI: It is unconstitutional as people of all religions should participate in each other’s festivals for amity and peace.

Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party: Illegal ‘fatwa’, aimed at creating ‘communal divisions’, the Maharashtra government should stop the VHP and other right-wing outfits from indulging in cultural policing and vitiating peace.