Mangaluru: Ahead of the festive season, right-wing organisations Durgavahini and Bajrang Dal jointly submitted a formal memorandum to the Mangaluru City police, urging the authorities to deny permission for any fashion shows and western-style party events planned under the name of Dandiya and Garba during the Navaratri festival.The right-wing organisations claimed that such events would promote obscenity. Leaders from the organisations said they approached the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) to present their petition, demanding a strict ban on events that they allege misuse the sacred name of traditional cultural festivals. According to the memorandum, Navaratri holds immense religious significance as a holy festival deeply rooted in traditional Sanatana culture, where Dandiya and Garba dances are performed by Hindu devotees with profound faith, devotion, and reverence.However, the groups expressed serious concern after noticing several promotional posters circulating publicly and across social media platforms.“These advertisements promote Dandiya nights combined with fashion shows, DJ music nights, and public parties hosted in pubs, banquet halls and public spaces across Mangaluru. Such commercial celebrations will defame traditional values and raise suspicions about potential consumption of alcohol and illicit substances,” stated Prantha Mathru Shakti pramukh Surekha Raj and Bajrang Dal samyojak Preetham Katipalla.Furthermore, representatives warned that utilising the name of Dandiya to organise such westernised gatherings could deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community and misguide the youth toward undesirable paths.Complaints have also been lodged at various local police stations, calling for rigorous legal action against organisers who host vulgar or unauthorised programmes under the guise of festive celebrations. The leaders reiterated their firm opposition to any activities that compromise cultural and religious sanctity.Mangaluru City police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy stated that if anyone wants to stop anything that is illegal, and all they have to do is inform police, who will stop it.However, the commissioner said, “If anyone tries to stop anything that is immoral in their opinion, but legally permitted, if a complaint is lodged, those who try to stop legally permitted activities will be in trouble as these attract punishment up to 10 years, based on the level of actions they resort to.”
