Gujarat: Notice ‘prohibiting’ garba near religious structures in Kheda locality sparks row; two booked

Based on the complaint of local Bajrang Dal volunteer Dhavalsinh Zala, the Matar police station booked Ayubkhan Usmankhan Pathan and Yusufmiya Khokhar — President and Vice President of the Muslim Panch of Nani Baghol — for “outraging religious feelings”.

After police issued instructions to the Muslim Panch (a local body of the community) to clear the notice, a fresh coat of black was painted over the board. The notice had prohibited playing garba near a mosque, a dargah and a madrassa at Hussaini Chowk in Nani Baghol.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Nadiad) V R Bajpayee said, “The Muslim Panch had put up a board on the wall (of their property) that there was a ban on playing garba and music in the area. The local Bajrang Dal leaders received the messages and photos of the board on WhatsApp and Zala approached the police with a complaint stating that such an act had hurt the religious feelings of the Hindu community… An FIR has been lodged against two office-bearers of Muslim Panch who had put up that board… The police have also spoken to the local leaders and they have voluntarily removed the contents of the board.”

The FIR lodged at Matar has booked Pathan and Khokhar under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings; insulting religion or religious beliefs), and 54 (crime committed in presence of abettor). No one has been arrested in the case yet.

Zala said, “We had submitted an application to the police on Monday and after gathering evidence that the board was indeed put up with the intention to hurt religious sentiments, we have lodged an FIR with Matar police station (on Tuesday).”

A member of the Muslim Panch said that the board had been put up by the local community leaders at the spot which is “owned by the community” and therefore, “no garba” can be played on the said land.