Navratri Row in Kanpur as Demands Rise for Identity Checks at Garba Venues and Temple Stalls Ahead of Sharad Navratri in Kanpur, Hindu outfits have submitted a memorandum seeking strict identity verification, including Aadhaar checks, at Garba venues and temple vendor stalls. Police have instructed station officers to tighten security across all festive locations. 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. What this means for you The heightened verification demands in Kanpur will directly impact event attendees, temple visitors, and commercial vendors during the festival. • In Kanpur: Attendees heading to Garba and Dandiya nights must carry their official Aadhaar identity cards for entry. Gate authorities are likely to inspect documents before granting access to event grounds. • For temple devotees: Visitors to major shrines like Tapeshwari temple will see enhanced police patrolling and deployment. Special security measures have been instructed to safeguard women and children in large crowds. • For local vendors: Stall operators selling worship materials near temple complexes may face mandatory identity verification checks. Vendors will need proper credentials to operate within regulated fair premises. • For event organizers: Commercial managers must document and verify all event staff and private security guards. Ensuring smooth coordination with local police will be necessary to prevent disruptions. Why this happened This development unfolded after Hindu outfits raised strong objections against the participation of non-Hindus in Navratri festivities across Kanpur. • Objection to venue entry: The VHP and Bajrang Dal claimed that non-Hindu youth attend Garba gatherings without religious devotion. They alleged that such participation is used to promote love jihad, prompting calls for strict entry curbs. • Temple stall identity concerns: Outfits pointed out that individuals conceal their identities while running ritual offering stalls outside Goddess shrines. Specific complaints regarding the Tapeshwari temple grounds were cited to demand vendor background checks. • Formal police intervention: Representatives approached the Police Commissioner office and submitted a memorandum to the ADCP for Women Crime. Law enforcement officials subsequently directed all station heads to reinforce security and monitor law and order. Questions & Answers 1. What is the controversy regarding Garba and Dandiya events in Kanpur? The VHP and Bajrang Dal have opposed the entry of Muslims into Garba celebrations, demanding strict identity verification at venues. 2. What specific entry requirement has the VHP demanded? The outfit has demanded that entry into Dandiya and Garba grounds be granted only after checking Aadhaar cards, alongside verifying all event staff. 3. What objections were raised concerning shops outside temples? Outfits alleged that some non-Hindu vendors conceal their identities while selling worship items, demanding verification for all vendors outside shrines. 4. What claim was made regarding the Tapeshwari temple? VHP provincial secretary Rajiv Porwal stated that the fair organizing committee at Tapeshwari temple had also lodged complaints regarding local stalls. 5. What action has the Kanpur police taken following the memorandum? ADCP Women Crime Sneha Tiwari confirmed receiving the memorandum and stated that all station in-charges have been directed to ensure comprehensive security. https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/kanpur-men-navratri-karyakramon-para-vivada-garba-ayojanon-aura-mndira-parisaron-men-pahachana-satyapana-ki-manga-uthi-43911 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.