Vadodara: A video showing a couple openly kissing at the United Way garba ground during Navratri has gone viral, drawing widespread condemnation from religious groups and participants. The footage, shared extensively on social media, sparked outrage as it was filmed in front of Mataji’s pandal during the sacred festival.

In the clip, the couple is seen disregarding the sanctity of the event, kissing amidst a crowd of thousands. The incident has prompted criticism from the public and placed the United Way Garba under scrutiny for failing to prevent objectionable behavior, which violates government guidelines mandating decorum at religious events.

Police sources indicated that authorities may take strict action against organizers to prevent similar incidents in the future. The episode highlights the tension between social media-driven attention-seeking and the traditional devotional values of Navratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to Mataji. While garba is historically a religious practice performed in reverence to the Goddess, modern trends at party plots and public venues have occasionally led to disrespectful conduct.

The Sanatan Sant Samiti has demanded stringent action against the event organizers. Jyotirnath Maharaj, national president of the Samiti, called the incident “deeply distressing” and criticized bystanders for not intervening. “Obscene acts at garba are unacceptable,” he said, urging awareness and corrective measures from both organizers and authorities.

Tarak Patel, president of United Way of Baroda, appealed to attendees to maintain decorum. “Garba is a sacred occasion. Couples should refrain from inappropriate conduct and, if unable to do so, should not attend our event,” he said.

Authorities and organizers are reportedly considering stronger supervision and stricter enforcement of guidelines at future garba events to ensure that the festival’s sanctity is preserved. DeshGujarat