Our Bureau
Raipur
There have been posters circulating all across Madhya Pradesh that are asking non-Hindus to stay away from entering Garba pandals. This Tuesday, on September 23rd, the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Waqf Board, Salim Raj has appealed to the Muslim youth to stay away from involving themselves in Hindu religious events.
The board stated that Muslims should avoid these festivals as they do not believe in idol worship. They highlighted that for the sake of maintaining peace and harmony Muslims should show deference to the sanctity surrounding such festivals. As per reports, the cautionary announcement from the state Waqf board has come at the same time when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal are calling for boycotting non-Hindus from sponsoring garbas in Chhattisgarh.
The statement read, “Either keep away from Hindu religious events or show respect to the sanctity of these festivals and maintain peace and harmony.” He advised them “not to visit garba grounds with wrong intentions. If the Muslim community does not believe in idol worship, they should stay away from religious events like the garba,” the statement read.
He has also warned the community stating, “But any attempt to enter garba venues with wrong intentions or create disturbances hurts Hindu sentiments and risks damaging communal harmony,” Raj said.
Waqf Chief, Salim Raj noted that Garbha is a devotional dance form which the Hindus dedicate to Goddess Durga. Muslim members don’t believe in idol worship and should refrain from being part of any such practices.
“Garba is not just an ordinary dance performance. It is a devotional folk dance dedicated to Goddess Durga, symbolising the cycle of life and her immense power. If members of Muslim community do not believe in idol worship, they should refrain from participating in such religious events,” Raj stated.
