BJP MLA from Huzur in Madhya Pradesh, Rameshwar Sharma, said that non-Hindus wishing to participate in garba during Navratri should first apply tilak on their forehead, drink Gangajal, and perform aarti of the goddess while wearing dhoti-kurta. His remarks come as calls to “bar non-Hindus from attending garba” have gained momentum in the state, with just three days remaining before Navratri.

There have also been suggestions to monitor garba venues using video cameras and ID checks.

While Sharma urged non-Hindus to “return to the Sanatan fold first,” arguing that everyone in India has Hindu roots and some conversions happened only a few centuries ago, BJP Bhopal MP Alok Sharma advised people to follow their own religious customs and avoid participating in practices of other faiths. State minister Vishwas Sarang echoed this view.

"If non-Hindus in garba grounds are found misbehaving with women, their homes would be razed with bulldozers," Rameshwar Sharma said.

State minister for youth affairs Vishwas Sarang said only those who believe in sanatan dharma and offer prayers to ‘Sherawali Mata' have the right to perform the garba.

"Garba is an auspicious sanatan tradition, where we worship the goddess and is performed around the idol of ‘Sherawali Mata'. So why should those who are not Hindus do this? Do they visit temples the way Hindus do? Then why should they come to garba grounds? Non-Hindus would not be permitted to enter garba grounds," Sarang said.

"People should be content participating in rituals and practices associated with religions they are born into and follow," Bhopal MP Alok Sharma said.