Indore: The controversy that started with the inclusion of a Muslim named Firoz Khan in the organizing committee of a Garba program in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, grew so much that the program had to be canceled. In fact, the Bajrang Dal had raised objections to the inclusion of Firoz Khan in the organizing committee before the police, after which the 10-day program was canceled on Thursday at the last moment. Local Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Rajesh Binjve said that Bajrang Dal had said in a memorandum submitted to the Bhanwarkuan police that the Garba program is being organized in Ganesh Nagar to promote ‘love jihad’ and spread obscenity.

‘Received a memorandum from Bajrang Dal against Garba program’

Rajesh Binjve said that Bajrang Dal had demanded from the police to stop this program organized by a person named Feroz Khan. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia confirmed that the police has received a memorandum from Bajrang Dal against the Garba program to be held in Ganesh Nagar. He claimed that the organizers have not yet applied to the police for permission for this Garba program. Dandotia said, ‘If someone contacts the police for permission for this Garba program, then legal steps will be taken.’ According to reports, Feroz has been participating in this program since the age of 8.

‘The police had given permission, pressure was exerted later’

Firoz Khan, one of the organizers of Ganesh Nagar’s ‘Shikhar Garba Mandal’, claimed that the police had permitted his organization for the 10-day-long Garba program. Khan said that after getting the permission, some people put ‘undue pressure’ on the owner of the place where Garba was to be held, due to which the program had to be canceled. He became emotional and said, ‘We have been organizing Garba programs in Ganesh Nagar for the last 36 years. I have been serving in the Garba pandal since childhood. This is the first time that some people have a problem with this Garba program because I am a Muslim.’

‘If there is a problem with my name then I will not even step into the pandal’

Khan said, ‘I appeal to those who have faced this problem to let the Garba program be held so that 250 to 300 women who have been preparing for many days can perform Garba. If people have a problem with my name, then I will not even step into the Garba pandal.’ He said that he is the only Muslim in his locality and celebrates Diwali along with Eid. Meanwhile, Deepak Hardia, one of the founders of this Garba Mandal, said, ‘Our Garba pandal was decorated. We had also decided on the idol of Goddess Durga to be installed in the pandal. But we do not want any controversy in a religious program, so we have removed the Garba pandal and canceled the program.’