The signboard installed years ago by the Muslim community in Matar town to protect religious sites now sparks outrage, prompting a police complaint
NEW DELHI — Matar town in Gujarat’s Kheda district has become the centre of a heated controversy after a signboard installed by the local Muslim community attracted the ire of Hindu organisations. The board, which has been in place for six years, prohibits garba, singing, and dancing near dargahs, madrasas, mosques, and graveyards.
According to local reports, the signboard was erected to preserve the dignity of sacred sites. Community members explained that, during occasions like weddings, some people would perform garba dance close to graveyards and dargahs, which was considered disrespectful. Bismillah Khan Pathan, a community leader, clarified, “This board was installed to prevent the desecration of the graveyard, mosque, and madrasa located here. Singing and dancing are prohibited in Islam. However, we respect all festivals, and this board is many years old.”
Despite the signboard’s long presence, Hindu organisations including the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have expressed strong opposition, claiming that it insults Hindu religious sentiments. Rajesh Acharya, a VHP leader, said, “This is a direct attack on our culture. We have filed a complaint at the Matar police station.”
The police acted swiftly in response to the complaint. DSP Vimal Vajpayee confirmed, “A case has been registered at the Matar police station based on the complaint. Charges have been filed against two people from Chhoti Bhagol Panchayat under Sections 299 and 54 of the IPC. Investigation and further action are underway.”
Community members maintain that the board was never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments but to ensure respect for religious spaces. Locals also highlighted that the signboard had been ignored peacefully for six years until the recent objections arose.
Many in the Muslim community expressed concern over what they described as a selective reaction, saying, “We have coexisted with our Hindu neighbours for decades. This board is meant to maintain decorum near sacred sites, not to disrespect anyone’s faith.”
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between religious practices and community sensitivities in Gujarat, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to prevent escalation.
