Garba's Sacred Rhythm Clashes with Secular Beats
The traditional Hindu festival of Garba in India has become the epicenter of a significant socio-political controversy, exposing deep religious fault lines. The issue erupted when local units of Hindu nationalist organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), began issuing guidelines for participation in the dance events. These rules reportedly included demands for participants to apply a 'tilak' (a religious mark) and even consume 'gomutra' (cow urine) for purification before entry, alongside calls to restrict the entry of non-Hindus, specifically targeting Muslim men.
