Controversy Erupts at Ahmedabad Garba Event

A major controversy has erupted in Gujarat after non-Hindus and Muslims were asked to leave a prominent Garba event in Ahmedabad during Navratri. The announcement, made from the stage during the Rang Morla ft Aditya Gadhvi event, triggered widespread criticism on social media and prompted popular folk singer Aditya Gadhvi to publicly distance himself from the incident.

The event is among Ahmedabad's well-known Garba celebrations, attracting crowds during the annual Hindu festival. The controversy began when anchor and radio jockey Akash Trivedi addressed the audience and relayed a declaration associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

According to a video circulating online, Trivedi asked non-Hindus and Muslims to leave the venue voluntarily. He also announced that a VHP helpline was available for those who needed assistance.

"The helpline number that I have provided is from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A humble request is that any non-Hindu or any Muslim should leave this ground right now, voluntarily," Trivedi said.

He added that VHP representatives were present at the venue and asked volunteers to look around the grounds. The announcement was made as the event prepared to continue with another round of Garba.

The remarks quickly became the focus of an online debate over religious identity, access to public cultural celebrations and the role of organisations seeking to regulate participation in festival events.

VHP Defends Its Presence as Video Draws Backlash

The Gujarat unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad defended the approach, saying its volunteers, along with members of the Bajrang Dal, routinely visit venues to prevent non-Hindus from entering Garba events.

The statement placed the incident within a wider debate over participation in religious and cultural celebrations in Gujarat. Garba, traditionally performed during Navratri, brings people together through music, dance and devotion to the Hindu goddess Durga.

The practice has a strong cultural presence across Gujarat, where large organised events attract participants from different backgrounds. However, disputes over religious identity and entry restrictions have repeatedly raised questions about who can attend such gatherings and who decides the conditions of participation.

In this case, the stage announcement became particularly contentious because it explicitly identified non-Hindus and Muslims as groups being asked to leave. The video spread rapidly across social media, drawing criticism from users who questioned the exclusion of people on religious grounds.

The available account of the incident does not establish how many attendees, if any, left the venue following the announcement. It also does not provide an independently verified account of how event organisers handled the situation after the remarks.

The controversy has placed the event and its performers under public scrutiny, despite questions about who authorised the announcement and whether the singer or his team had any prior knowledge of it.

Aditya Gadhvi Rejects Responsibility for Announcement

Aditya Gadhvi, known for his Gujarati folk music and the popular song "Khalasi," responded by rejecting any association with the announcement. In a post on Instagram, he said the message did not come from him and that people had used his platform without his approval.

"What happened at the event was not my doing, and it was not my message. A group of people took over the backstage and used my platform to do something I would never do. My team and the anchor were not consulted and were not involved in any capacity," Gadhvi wrote.

His response sought to separate his musical performance from the decision to ask people belonging to particular religious communities to leave. He also disputed the suggestion that the announcement represented his views.

In a separate post, Gadhvi spoke about Garba's tradition of bringing people together, arguing that participation should be guided by devotion and respect rather than religious identity.

"Garba has never asked anyone for their surname," he wrote, recalling how people of different faiths have participated alongside one another in Gujarat and other parts of India.

He added that anyone who attended Garba with love and respect for Maa was welcome in his circle. Describing his position as a personal conviction rather than a political statement, he concluded that his stage was meant for music and devotion.

Questions Remain Over Religious Exclusion at Cultural Events

The incident has renewed scrutiny of religious restrictions at large cultural gatherings. While the VHP has defended its volunteers' presence at Garba venues, Gadhvi's response makes clear that the announcement should not automatically be treated as an expression of the performing artist's views.

The episode also highlights the distinction between organising a religious celebration and imposing restrictions based on a person's faith. Questions about entry policies, the authority of outside groups and the responsibility of event organisers are likely to remain central to the debate.

For now, the controversy has moved beyond a single stage announcement. It has become a wider argument over inclusion, religious identity and the meaning of a cultural tradition celebrated by millions. Gadhvi has stated his position clearly: his music and his stage should represent devotion, not religious exclusion.