NEW DELHI: Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, said there was nothing wrong with Muslims participating in Navratri and other festivals, after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for Muslims to be barred from the upcoming Navratri festivities, a demand endorsed by state minister Nitesh Rane.“Festivals are inclusive, and there is nothing wrong with a Muslim person attending the celebrations. If a Muslim also comes and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong with it,” Amruta Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday, PTI reported.
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Her remarks came in response to a question on Rane’s comments. On Monday, Rane, a BJP colleague of Devendra Fadnavis, backed the VHP, alleging that cases of “love jihad” tend to increase during such festivals. He also called for attendees to undergo identity checks and recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry to Navratri events.“Love jihad” is a term used by right-wing activists to allege that Muslim men lure women, mostly from the Hindu community, into relationships with the aim of converting them to Islam.Last week, the VHP announced that Muslims would not be allowed to enter ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ venues across Maharashtra during Navratri, which begins on October 11.The VHP has also issued “guidelines” for organisers to verify participants’ identities at Navratri ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya’ events by checking their Aadhaar cards and applying ‘tilak’ on their foreheads.