Backless cholis and low-waits ghagras are out this festive season in Rajkot.
The guardian of morality here is Commissioner of Police Sudhir Sinha who has issued an order to all the commercial organisers to ban the entry of participants in ‘obscene and provocative attire.’
Says the Indian Express: [Link]
For the strict implementation of the order, organisers have also been asked by the Commissioner’s office to depute a special security officer to keep an eye on the dress of each and every participant entering the garba venue.
Organisers are more than happy to follow the order, as they believe it helps in maintaining the sacred and spiritual atmosphere associated with the worship of the Goddess during the nine nights of Navratri.
“Dandiya-Garbas are a form of worship. No one should be allowed to wear anything that can spoil the sanctity attached to the festival,” said Nitin Bhardwaj, the organiser of Race Course Club, one of the biggest organisers of commercial garba in Saurashtra. The other big player, Pioneer too is following suit.
Bhardwaj, who is also the Rajkot city BJP president, added: “We ask participants not to come in backless or low waist dresses. Though we agree that it is an individual choice, but we aim to maintain a decorum. It is an arvachin (traditional) event and not a fashion parade.”
Incidentally, Rajkot is the only city in Gujarat where the Commissioner’s office has issued such an order to the garba organisers.
