Surat groups demand Hindu-only entry and staff at Garba venues

Ahead of the Navratri festival, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in Surat have called for stricter regulations at Garba venues. The organizations are demanding a ban on non-Hindu entry and requesting that all event staff—including artists, photographers, catering workers, and security—be Hindu.

Leaders from these groups stated that these measures are intended to preserve the religious character of the festival and address concerns regarding the safety of women. They have urged organizers to verify photo IDs or entry passes and have called for vigilance against molestation and suspicious activities. The organizations advised their volunteers to report violations to the police rather than taking independent action.

In Ahmedabad, the festive preparations are also underway, with local markets such as Law Garden and Rani No Hajiro seeing increased activity. Shoppers are seeking traditional Gujarati attire, including chaniya cholis, mirror-work outfits, and oxidized silver jewelry, for the upcoming celebrations.