With less than a week left for the Shardiya Navratri to kick off, posters carrying messages against alleged ‘Love Jihad’ have made their way to the Garba venue in several localities of Maharashtra’s capital, Mumbai. The posters instruct organisers to apply a tilak to the non-Hindu attendees, tie a kalava (sacred thread) around their wrists and sprinkle Gomutra (cow urine) on them. The instructions have reportedly emerged ahead of the festival season, when Garba events are held at venues across the state.

The development comes days after a wider debate ensued in Maharashtra over the participation of Muslims in Navratri celebrations.

Nitesh Rane’s remarks fuel debate

Notably, Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane had voiced support a month ago for a call raised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to bar Muslims from Navratri events held across the state.

Rane had alleged that allowing Muslims to participate in Garba events could lead to what right-wing activists call ‘love jihad.’ The term is used by right-wing groups to allege that Muslim men deliberately land into relationships with women, predominantly from the Hindu community, with the intent to get them converted to Islam.

In an interaction with news agency PTI, Rane had opined that people attending Garba should provide identification and should also recite Hanuman Chalisa, to gain entry to the events.

He asserted, “Those who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events,” adding that the ones attending Gara should produce their identity and must chant the Hanuman Chalisa before entry.

Navratri preparations move up a gear

The reported appearance of the posters comes as preparations for Sharadiya Navratri and Durga Puja are gaining steam across India. The 9-day Navratri festival is slated to begin on October 10 this year.

Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms, representing different manifestations of the divine feminine. As part of the festivities, Garba and Dandiya celebrations are held nationwide, particularly in the western part of the country.