BJP Leader Suggests Cow Urine for Garba Entry

Chintu Verma, the BJP district president in Indore, has sparked controversy by suggesting that attendees at Garba pandals during the upcoming Navratri festival must sip cow urine (gaumutra) before entry, positing it as a purification ritual important to Hindu customs. Verma claims that this practice, referred to as 'aachaman,' will help ensure that only Hindus participate in the festivities, arguing that it is a traditional rite that no true Hindu would refuse. His comments have drawn immediate backlash from the opposition Congress party, which labels the proposal as a tactic for political polarization ahead of upcoming elections, questioning why BJP leaders focus on cow urine instead of addressing the welfare of cows in shelters. The state BJP president has distanced the party from Verma's remarks, calling them his personal opinion. Critics have also challenged the hypocrisy of BJP leaders who accept donations from beef companies while promoting cow urine as a requirement for entry. This incident reflects ongoing tensions regarding religious practices and political strategy in Madhya Pradesh.