Ahead of Sharad Navratri celebrations in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, festive preparations around traditional Dandiya and Garba events have drawn sharp scrutiny over guest entry and venue oversight. Representatives from the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal approached the Police Commissioner office to raise objections against the participation of members from the Muslim community in these religious dance gatherings. The delegation met ADCP Women Crime Sneha Tiwari and submitted a formal memorandum seeking strict guidelines for crowd entry, safety protocols, and comprehensive vendor oversight around festival locations.
During their representation, VHP provincial president Rajiv Mahana alleged that youth from non-Hindu communities do not visit Dandiya and Garba venues out of religious devotion, claiming instead that their primary intent is to promote love jihad. Mahana argued that individuals who hold no faith in idol worship have no discernible reason to attend religious observances dedicated to the deity. Citing these concerns, the outfit insisted that entry to all festive venues must be restricted strictly to verified participants whose credentials have undergone prior examination.
Objections Raised Over Temple Stalls and Vendor Identities
The objections submitted to the authorities extended beyond private event spaces to the busy vendor strips that emerge outside prominent Goddess temples during the nine-day observance. Outfit leaders alleged that several non-Hindu vendors conceal their personal identities while setting up commercial stalls outside temple gates. The group called upon administrative authorities to conduct on-ground verification of all vendors operating shops selling prayer offerings and ritual items around religious complexes.
Highlighting specific instances, VHP provincial secretary Rajiv Porwal brought up the scenario surrounding the Tapeshwari temple in the city. Porwal submitted details regarding shops selling ritual merchandise near the temple grounds and claimed that members of the local fair organizing committee had already raised formal grievances regarding unverified traders. He urged law enforcement officials to act promptly on these complaints to prevent friction during the busy festival days.
Calls for Event Staff Background Checks and Mandatory Aadhaar Verification
To implement their security proposals, the outfits presented a detailed set of demands concerning management practices at commercial Garba and Dandiya gatherings. The memorandum asked that the backgrounds of primary event organizers, co-organizers, private security personnel, and support staff undergo rigorous identification checks by authorities. Furthermore, the delegation insisted that organizers mandate the physical verification of Aadhaar cards at the main entrance gates before permitting any visitor inside.
Rajiv Mahana stated that Bajrang Dal volunteers would also remain positioned on the ground to assist local police forces in monitoring festival events. Representatives emphasized that Garba nights draw large gatherings of young women, teenagers, and families, making strict identity checks indispensable to ensure a safe environment and keep unauthorized individuals from entering private grounds under false pretenses.
Police Response and Precautionary Directives to Station In-Charges
Acknowledging the representation, ADCP Women Crime Sneha Tiwari confirmed receipt of the memorandum from VHP and Bajrang Dal office-bearers. She highlighted that temples and religious fairs witness dense turnouts of women, girls, and children throughout the Navratri period, requiring careful preventative measures. Tiwari noted that all local police station in-charges across Kanpur have received targeted operational guidelines to bolster public safety across their jurisdictions.
Police authorities confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements will remain active throughout the festive duration to maintain law and order. Adequate police personnel, including dedicated female officers, will patrol crowded temple areas and monitoring teams will track public events to ensure peaceful celebrations across Kanpur.
