A religious controversy has erupted in Ahmedabad after an anchor at a garba event asked Muslims and people belonging to other faiths to leave the venue voluntarily. The announcement, made during the Rang Morla event on October 14, triggered criticism online and prompted Gujarati folk singer Aditya Gadhvi to publicly distance himself from the incident.

Gadhvi, who headlined the event, said the announcement did not reflect his views or message. He also stressed that garba had traditionally brought people of different faiths together, raising questions about religious identity, public participation and the growing disputes surrounding access to cultural celebrations in Gujarat.

What Happened at the Rang Morla Event?

The incident took place during a break at the Rang Morla garba event held at Savanna Party Plot on Shela Road, along Ahmedabad's SP Ring Road. Gadhvi was the headline performer, while RJ Akash Trivedi hosted the event.

According to videos circulated on social media, the anchor asked Muslims and other non-Hindus to leave the ground voluntarily. He also referred to the presence of volunteers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist organisation.

The announcement reportedly urged attendees to look around and report people considered suspicious to a helpline. The remarks quickly attracted attention online, where users questioned the decision to single out participants on the basis of religion.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the role of religious organisations at garba events and the extent to which organisers can restrict participation based on faith.

Aditya Gadhvi Distances Himself From the Announcement

Gadhvi responded through an Instagram post, making clear that he had not authorised the announcement and did not endorse its message.

He said a group had taken control of the backstage area and used his platform to make an announcement without his support.

“Garba has never asked anyone for their surname,” Gadhvi wrote, arguing that people of different faiths had participated together in the traditional dance for generations.

He added that anyone approaching the event with love and respect for the goddess was welcome in his circle.

“That is not politics. That is just how I was raised. My stage is for music and for devotion. Jai Ambe,” he wrote.

His response sought to separate his performance and personal beliefs from the controversy. It also placed the emphasis on shared participation rather than religious identity.

However, his statement has not ended the wider debate over whether non-Hindus should be permitted to attend garba events, particularly when organisers or outside groups impose religious restrictions.

VHP Defends Its Presence at Garba Events

VHP spokesperson Hitendrasinh Rajput defended the practice of volunteers visiting garba venues across Gujarat.

According to Rajput, Bajrang Dal volunteers, the youth wing associated with the VHP, regularly visit events in Ahmedabad and speak with organisers about preventing non-Hindus from entering.

He also described practices that reportedly include applying tilak to male attendees and removing people considered suspicious from the venue.

These remarks have added another dimension to the controversy. While supporters of such measures may frame them as efforts to protect religious traditions, critics argue that identifying attendees by faith risks turning community celebrations into spaces of exclusion.

The distinction between addressing specific misconduct and restricting access on religious grounds remains central to the dispute.

Garba's Cultural Significance Comes Into Focus

Garba is traditionally performed during Navratri in honour of the Hindu goddess. Its religious roots remain central to the festival, but the dance has also developed into a widely recognised cultural expression across Gujarat and beyond.

In December 2023, UNESCO inscribed Gujarat's garba on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition highlighted the tradition's cultural importance and its role in bringing communities together.

The Ahmedabad incident has prompted questions about how that broader cultural role fits alongside efforts to enforce religious boundaries at individual events.

Social media users criticised the announcement as divisive, arguing that people should be judged by their behaviour rather than their religious identity. Others questioned whether excluding people who appreciate the tradition is consistent with garba's long-standing community character.

The Debate Extends Beyond One Event

The controversy at Rang Morla has exposed a wider disagreement over religion, cultural participation and the authority of groups operating at public celebrations.

Gadhvi has made his position clear: the announcement was not his message, and his platform was intended for music and devotion. The VHP, meanwhile, has defended the presence of volunteers and described efforts to restrict entry at garba venues.

The immediate dispute concerns one event in Ahmedabad. The larger question is whether religious traditions can be protected without excluding people solely because of their faith. As the debate continues, the response from event organisers and the wider garba community will help determine how that question is addressed in future celebrations.