Hindu Groups Check IDs, Apply Religious Marks at Varanasi Garba Event

Hindu activist organizations conducted identity checks and applied religious symbols at a Garba-Dandiya celebration held in Varanasi during the Navratri festival this week. Members of Bajrang Dal examined documents of those entering the venue, while volunteers from Durga Vahini, a women's wing of a Hindu nationalist group, applied tilak marks and sacred threads to attendees. The organizations framed their involvement as protecting cultural and religious traditions, with event organizers reportedly endorsing the measures. However, the screening practices have drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding questions about whether such religious-based conditions were applied during ticket sales. The incident reflects ongoing tensions in India over access policies at cultural and religious events, and whether such gatherings should maintain demographic or faith-based restrictions. Organizers have not immediately clarified the criteria used to determine attendee eligibility or whether the identity checks were intended as routine security measures or selective screening based on religion.