Garba Controversy: Who Gave Organisations the Right to Check Muslims’ Aadhaar Cards?
Photo by Johnrobert99 / CC BY-SA 4.0
India is celebrating one of the major festivals associated with Hindu religious traditions. Garba brings people together through music, dance, devotion and celebration. But reports and videos circulating on social media showing people checking Muslims’ Aadhaar cards at Garba events have raised serious questions about religious freedom, individual rights and communal harmony.
Who gave these organisations the authority to check people’s identity documents? Why are Muslims being singled out? And why is the government not taking clear action if such activities are taking place unlawfully?
These are questions that deserve answers.
Who Gave These Organisations the Right to Check Aadhaar Cards?
If people are entering Garba venues and checking the Aadhaar cards of Muslims, as some videos circulating on social media appear to show, the authorities must examine the incidents and establish the facts.
Aadhaar is an identity document. Private organisations or groups cannot simply assume that they have the legal authority to demand and check someone’s identity documents. Any such activity must be assessed under the applicable law.
I want to ask these organisations directly: What problem do you have with Muslim citizens attending a festival and celebrating alongside others?
If people are gathering peacefully to celebrate a festival, why should their religion become a reason to question their presence?
India belongs to all its citizens. Nobody should be made to feel like an outsider in their own country because of their religion.
Why Is the Government Not Taking Clear Action?
The government and police administration have a responsibility to protect citizens’ rights and maintain law and order.
If any group is unlawfully targeting people on the basis of religion, the authorities should investigate the matter fairly and take appropriate legal action wherever wrongdoing is established.
The question is simple: If an ordinary citizen breaks the law, the police can take action. Then why should any organisation be treated differently?
No group should be allowed to take the law into its own hands. The same law must apply to everyone, regardless of their political connections, religious beliefs or organisational identity.
The government must explain what steps are being taken to prevent religious discrimination, intimidation and the misuse of identity checks.
What Have These Organisations Done for Needy People?
I also want to ask these organisations another question.
When poor families need help, when a needy person is struggling to survive, or when women and girls face injustice, how often do these organisations come forward to support them?
What concrete work have they done for the country and for ordinary citizens?
Of course, not every organisation is the same, and many groups do valuable social work. But any organisation that claims to work in the name of religion should also demonstrate compassion, responsibility and service to society.
Religion should teach people humanity, kindness and respect. It should not become an excuse to humiliate or target another citizen.
If an organisation is more visible while questioning people’s religious identities than while helping those in need, it is reasonable for citizens to ask questions about its priorities.
Hindu-Muslim Unity Is Part of India’s History
India’s freedom struggle involved people from different religions, communities and backgrounds. Hindu and Muslim citizens, along with many others, participated in the struggle for independence and made sacrifices for the country.
Our diversity is part of India’s history and identity.
So why should citizens who follow different religions be treated as enemies today?
If a Muslim person wants to attend a public event peacefully, what is wrong with that? If a Hindu person wants to celebrate Garba, that is their right too. Both should be able to practise their faith without intimidation.
The Constitution protects freedom of religion and equality before the law, subject to its provisions and reasonable legal restrictions. These rights cannot be replaced by the personal decisions of a group claiming to represent a particular religion.
Is Anyone Stopping You from Practising Your Faith?
Some people may argue that these actions are about protecting their faith and religious traditions.
Let me ask them a simple question: Is someone preventing you from praying, performing religious rituals or celebrating your festival?
If not, why target people of another religion?
Faith is personal, and people have the right to practise their religion within the law. But protecting one’s faith does not mean that someone can intimidate others, question their belonging to the country or decide who deserves to participate in public life.
If there is a genuine security concern at a Garba venue, it should be handled by the authorised organisers and the police under applicable rules. It should not become an opportunity to target an entire religious community.
Social Media Videos Can Damage India’s Image
Today, videos can travel across the world within minutes. A video showing people being questioned or insulted because of their religion may be watched by millions, including people living outside India.
What impression will they form when they see such footage?
More importantly, what will children think when they watch adults treating other people differently because of their religion?
Children learn from what they see around them. If they repeatedly witness hatred and humiliation, they may begin to believe that discrimination is normal.
Have those involved ever considered the effect their actions could have on the minds of young people?
We should be teaching children respect, equality and humanity—not suspicion and hatred towards their fellow citizens.
At the same time, videos should be verified and examined in their proper context before conclusions are drawn. The authorities should investigate specific incidents rather than allowing rumours or unverified claims to create further tension.
Why Should Ordinary Citizens Suffer Because of Religious Hatred?
India already faces many serious challenges, including unemployment, poverty, education concerns and the difficulties experienced by needy families.
Ordinary citizens expect leaders and public organisations to help solve these problems.
Instead, whenever incidents involving religious division occur, people are left asking whether enough is being done to protect social harmony.
I want to ask these organisations: What are you contributing to the country if your activities create fear and division among its people?
And I want to ask the government: What steps are you taking to ensure that every citizen can live with dignity and security, regardless of religion?
These are legitimate public questions. Asking them should not be treated as being against any religion. It is about accountability and the rights of citizens.
An Appeal to the Government and Police Administration
I appeal to the government and the police administration to investigate the reported incidents of Aadhaar checking at Garba events, verify the videos circulating on social media and identify whether any laws have been violated.
If individuals or organisations are found to have engaged in unlawful intimidation, discrimination or other offences, appropriate legal action should follow.
The authorities should also make it clear that no private group can assume powers that belong to the legally authorised authorities.
India is a democratic country where people of different religions, languages and cultures live together. Protecting this diversity is a responsibility shared by the government, the police, community organisations and citizens.
My final question is this: Who gave these organisations the authority to decide which citizens can participate in a celebration based on their religion?
A festival should bring people together, not become a reason to divide them.
India needs peace, equality and humanity. No organisation should be allowed to place itself above the law, and no citizen should have to prove their worth as an Indian because of their religion.
