BJP MLA's garba remarks spark outrage, later clarified
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Rameshwar Sharma from Huzur constituency in Madhya Pradesh faced backlash after a video surfaced showing him telling Muslim men attending Navratri garba events to 'bring your mothers and sisters'. The controversy arose during the nine-night festival season when Sharma suggested Muslim men could come permanently if they wished, but should be accompanied by female family members. Opposition Congress MLA Arif Masood condemned the remarks as 'vile and cheap', demanding Sharma mend his ways. Following the outrage, Sharma clarified that garba is worship of Maa Jagdamba, not entertainment, and said Muslims should participate in the prayer festival rather than merely watch. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the original video.
Why it matters
The incident highlights rising communal tensions around religious festivals in Madhya Pradesh, with opposition leaders denouncing the MLA's remarks as offensive while the MLA attempted to frame the comments as promoting family participation in religious worship.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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