Gujarat Leaders Demand Ban on Garba Classes, Call Them a ‘Pollution for Society’

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — With Navratri just 40 days away, Garba training classes — usually a bustling pre-festival tradition in Gujarat — have become the center of a heated political and social controversy. What began as a cultural countdown has now turned into a statewide debate, with political leaders, Patidar organizations, and community groups clashing over whether such classes should even exist.

The flashpoint came from a Janakranti Sabha held in Morbi, organized by Patidar leader and Patidar Yuva Seva Sangh founder Manoj Panara. The meeting saw both social leaders and prominent BJP MLAs accusing Garba and Dandiya classes of promoting obscenity and immoral activities. Allegations included claims that “Hindu girls are blackmailed by boys from other communities” and that the classes had become “meeting points” for unsupervised interaction between young men and women.

Morbi BJP MLA Kanti Amrutia declared, “Modern Dandiya classes should not be allowed in the city.” Similarly, Tankara BJP MLA Durlabhji Detharia urged families to ban their children from attending, saying, “Decide from today that not a single son or daughter from your family will take training in Dandiya classes.”

The meeting also drew support from the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), a prominent Patidar organization, which backed the Morbi demand for a statewide ban on Garba classes.

Following the Sabha, a closed-door meeting was held between Patidar community leaders and Garba class administrators. While the details of the agreements remain unclear, insiders claim that certain “operational restrictions” were discussed.

BJP MLA Yogesh Patel openly supported the ban, stating, “It is absolutely true that objectionable activities take place in such classes. They should definitely be closed.”

Adding to the chorus, Kumar Kanani, former minister and MLA from Surat’s Varachha constituency, cited incidents from across the state: “Many cases have come to light of girls falling in love with trainers or boys at these classes and running away. Even with security, such classes are a kind of pollution for society.”

Critics of the ban argue that these views unfairly stigmatize a vibrant cultural tradition. Garba teachers and event organizers insist that with proper security and oversight, classes can remain safe and respectful spaces for cultural learning. However, so far, most political voices in the debate appear to be leaning toward prohibition rather than regulation.