Demons rule garba, says imam

[mujhaidind]

AHMEDABAD: Just four days before Navratri, great unease has begun developing around the festive mood. Sufi Imam Mehndi Hussain — famous for having his offer of a skullcap rebuffed by Narendra Modi in 2011 — has said that the garba has been taken over by demons. Hussain, a cleric in a Kheda village, said: "Garba is not a religious festival but entertainment for rakshasas."

On Sunday, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad denounced his remarks and demanded his arrest.

Ranchhod Bharwad, the general secretary of VHP Gujarat, said, "The imam should be arrested. If he's not, we will hand him over to the police."

A communal convulsion had struck Gujarat's run-up to the festival last week when a right-wing group in Godhra decreed that garba organizers should block the entry of Muslims.

A file photo of Imam Mehndi Hussain with then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi during the Sadbhavana meet in 2011

The group, Hindu Asmita Heet Rakshak Samiti, stoked fears by saying that Hindu women were being seduced during revelries by the so-called proponents of 'love jihad'. Such entry restrictions were later demanded by similar groups in other parts of the state, including Bharuch and Narmada districts.

The imam's comment and the reactions have sharpened the edginess of the state police; they have decided to strengthen Navratri deployment like never before. On Sunday, the imam explained his stand: "Sadhus and sants are not seen at garbas. Film actors and people with criminal backgrounds dance in provocative clothes." As for 'love jihad', he said: "People say that 4.5 lakh Hindu girls have been lured by Muslim youths. (Others say) Muslim youths shouldn't be allowed in. Do these sentiments suit a religious festival?" A festival unites communities, said the imam.
Demons rule garba, says imam; tension bedevils festival - The Times of India

 

[Etilla]

Who gave demons right to comment on Hindu festivals?

Imam should be handed over to VHP for corrective treatment.

 

[PlanetWarrior]

If you look at the context in which he made the statement, there is simply nothing offensive about it

 

[SrNair]

Religious people should stay away from provocative comments.
That was not necessary.Through such comments that Imam underlined about a possiblity of religious intolerance in Islam.
Their festival,their people,their belief What does this Imam wanted from it?

 

[mujhaidind]

Who gave demons right to comment on Hindu festivals?

truth hurts!

 

[punit]

truth hurts!

u demon?

If you look at the context in which he made the statement, there is simply nothing offensive about it

what was the context sir?

 

[Jaanbaz]

 

[utraash]

Not all are demons .... I am in saint category to play garba with its spirit.....

 

[Black Widow]

Imam showing his true color..

what else u expect from him...

 

[ranjeet]

If you look at the context in which he made the statement, there is simply nothing offensive about it

Yeah and Modi had a evil grin on his face when he made that puppy comment.

 

[mujhaidind]

u demon?

Not really.

But again some less informed Hindus think Sufis/Barelvis as moderate when the case is opposite.

 

[punit]

Not really.

But again some less informed Hindus think Sufis/Barelvis as moderate when the case is opposite.

then why call other demons. nothing to do with Sufis/Barelvis also.

 

[mujhaidind]

then why call other demons. nothing to do with Sufis/Barelvis also.

Sufi Imam meant to say that idol-worshipping is like devil worship. But that mushrik and munafiq forgot that they too indulge in idol worshipping like the pagan Hindus.

 

[mujhaidind]

@Black Widow Your argument is pretty weak.

Try to reason with the Imam not me

 

[Tshering22]

Another arab wannabe.

The other day there was this tread about how offended muslims felt when a BJP MP asked muslims to be banned from garba.

Now this statement simply proves the point as to WHY.