# VHP restrictions on Navratri celebrations in Maharashtra

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vhp-restrictions-on-navratri-celebrations-in-maharashtra
> Updated: 2026-09-09T04:54:20.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued guidelines in Maharashtra to bar Muslims from participating in Garba and Dandiya events during the upcoming Navratri festival. To enforce these restrictions, the VHP has instructed organizers to verify the Hindu identity of participants through Aadhaar card checks and the application of a sandalwood tilak on foreheads.

VHP spokesperson Shriraj Nair stated the decision is based on the religious nature of the festival, asserting that because Navratri involves goddess worship, those who do not practice idol worship should not participate. Nair described these measures as ‘precautionary’ to protect the cultural character of Hindu traditions.

The directive has sparked significant political division in Maharashtra. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, head of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), opposed the stance, stating that excluding citizens from cultural events based on faith is unconstitutional and emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees equal rights. He called for different religious communities to work together.

In contrast, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nitesh Rane endorsed the VHP's demand, citing concerns regarding ‘love jihad’. Rane argued that those who do not practice idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events and supported mandatory identity checks. He further suggested that participants should chant the Hanuman Chalisa to gain entry.

Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh, have criticized the move as ‘unconstitutional cultural policing’ that threatens social harmony. Figures from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) have also noted that such restrictions contradict traditions of multi-religious festival participation.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Maharashtra leaders clash over VHP call to bar Muslims from Navratri events

Maharashtra leaders clash over VHP's call to bar Muslims from Navratri Garba events, with some citing constitutional rights and others citing religious identity and security concerns.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-leaders-clash-over-vhp-call-to-bar-muslims-from-navratri-events

### 2026-09-06: VHP seeks to restrict Muslim participation in Maharashtra Garba events

The Vishva Hindu Parishad has called for Muslims to be barred from Garba events in Maharashtra, proposing identity checks via Aadhaar cards to preserve the festival's Hindu character.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vhp-seeks-to-restrict-muslim-participation-in-maharashtra-garba-events

### 2026-09-04: VHP bars Muslims from Navratri Garba and Dandiya events in Maharashtra

The Vishva Hindu Parishad has banned Muslims from participating in Navratri Garba and Dandiya events in Maharashtra, mandating Aadhaar card checks and tilak application to verify Hindu identity.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vishwa-hindu-parishad-bars-muslims-from-navratri-events-in-maharashtra

---
Cite as: VHP restrictions on Navratri celebrations in Maharashtra. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vhp-restrictions-on-navratri-celebrations-in-maharashtra