The Vadodara unit of BJP on Thursday called the demand made by city Congress unit in connection with Garba passes “impractical”
On Tuesday, the Vadodara City Congress had submitted a memorandum to the district collector seeking that the garba organisers in Vadodara should provide free passes to women players.
Shah said, “When we speak of Garba in Gujarat, Vadodara’s garbas are most unique and famous. When the garbas were smaller and there was no audio technology, vocal singers used to be called in and the overall expenditure of organising the garba was less. But now, with the advanced technology being deployed for the experience of players, it has become a costly affair… At first only men were charged for the tickets but now the organisers also charge female players.”
Shah said that it was the uniqueness of Vadodara’s garbas that had prompted Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to invite ambassadors and delegations of 62 countries to Vadodara to experience the festive fervour of Navratri. “The garbas of Vadodara are unmatched and world famous. Therefore, even the ambassadors of 62 countries visited Vadodara to experience the granduer at the invitation of Jaishankarji…”
Shah added, “Moreover, the organisers in most of Vadodara city’s garbas are connected to non-profit organisations and use the income made through passes for charity works.”
“The fund collected is used for good causes throughout the year by organisers… Some organisers even used the funds to help flood-affected people. So, I think it is impractical to ask the garbas to be organised for free,” he said.
Earlier, the Congress throught their memorandum had sought that the district collectorate, the municipal commissioner and the charity commissioner, to which several organisers of garbas are affiliated as NGOs, should be directed to give out free passes to women players.
The memorandum said, “Vadodara city has just emerged out of devastating floods and people have suffered losses… Therefore, the organisers of garbas should provide free passses to women, who perform the garba as part of their devotion to the Goddess.” The Congress had also sought CCTVs to be deployed at garba grounds and multiple entry and exit points to avoid stampede-like situations.