Ujjain Garba Organisers Ban Entry Of Non-Hindus, Claim Step Taken To ‘Prevent Love Jihad’

The Garba organisers in Ujjain have banned entry of non-Hindus in the event.

The organizers have claimed that they have taken this step to “prevent love jihad”, reported Times of India.

It said the organizers are checking Aadhaar cards to prevent the entry of non-Hindus in the event in Ujjain.

The organizers, Sankalp Sanskriti Sanstha, are checking the Aadhaar cards of the participants and have also enforced that the male attendees would be “welcomed with a Tilak”, the report said.

The report noted that the law enforcement authorities don't seem to mind these arbitrary rules citing the event was private.

"It is their private function and they have issued passes for entry to the event. What is the objection in this?" the reported a senior police official as having said.
However, the report quoting an official from civil administration said that he was not aware of "any such thing" and he would review it in accordance with the law if a complaint is received.

As per the report, the members of the organizing committee defended their decisions, claiming that they are “not against any religion but want to put an end to love jihad and restrict entry to those trying to spread animosity.”

The move is likely to renew debate around ‘love jihad’, a term often used to describe alleged interfaith romantic relationships that some claim are attempts at forced religious conversion. 

Critics argue that the term is often used to stigmatize interfaith relationships, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion

A controversy around Garba erupted last year when police officers publicly flogged three Muslim men by tying them to a pole after arresting them on charges of pelting stones at an event during the Navratri festival in Undhela village in Kheda district. 

Earlier this month, the Gujarat high court framed charges against the police officers for contempt of court for violating the Supreme Court guidelines.