In the lead-up to Diwali, the atmosphere in Madhya Pradesh is charged with vibrant celebrations and communal spirit. However, a communal trend has emerged as right-wing groups like Hindu Raksha Manch and Bajrang Dal have launched a campaign featuring posters with the slogan “Apna Tyohar, Apno se Vyavahar” (Celebrate your festival with your own people) in cities such as Bhopal, Ujjain, and Devas. These posters urging Hindus to support local businesses within their community.
The divisive actions of the right-wing group Bajrang Dal mirrored a pattern observed during the Navratri and garba festivals. During Navratri, right-wing outfits sought to communalize festivities by placing posters throughout the state and banning Muslims from participating in Navratri and Garba events due to their Muslim identity.
At that time, the right-wing not only promoted communal exclusivity but also banned the entry of Muslims at such events, creating a hostile and hateful environment. The display of similar posters further reinforced the right-wings outfits divisive narrative, promoting the narrative that economic participation should be restricted to members of the Hindu community during the Diwali festival.
In Bhopal, a large billboard featuring a poster from Bajrang Dal urges Hindus to make purchases exclusively within their community and such posters have been put up at different squares and intersections in Bhopal. It is written on them, ‘Apna festival, Apno se Vyavahar’, can be seen here:
Kavita Narendra Yadav, Chairperson of the Shamgarh Municipal Council in Mandsaur district, has also shown support for these initiatives, which raises questions about the role of local governance in promoting communal agendas.
The poster can be seen here:
Bharat Raksha Manch’s poster in Ujjain:
Bajrang Dal’s poster in Devas, MP:
BJP leader also promoted the divisive agenda
Former BJP MP and Assam BJP’s state-in-charge Harish Dwivedi has also endorsed the divisive agenda of right-wing groups. On his social media platform X, he stated, “Friends, the sacred festival of Diwali begins tomorrow, and in this sequence, we will celebrate the holy festival of Dhanteras. In our Sanatan Dharma, it is believed that on the auspicious day of Dhanteras, we all should make a purchase of something new according to our means. You are all aware that right now, certain extremists from a specific community are repeatedly calling for their members to only shop at their community’s stores.”
“I urge all you Sanatani brothers to respond appropriately to these extremists by making your purchases from Sanatani shops this festival.” He added.
मित्रो दीपावली का पवित्र पर्व कल से प्रारंभ हो रहा है , उसी क्रम में कल धनतेरस का पवित्र त्योहार है । हमारे सनातन धर्म में यह मान्यता है की धनतेरस के शुभ दिन हम सब अपने सामर्थ्य के अनुसार कोई नई बस्तु की खरीदारी अवश्य करते है । साथियो आप सबको पता है इस समय एक समुदाय बिशेष के… pic.twitter.com/J7rPLkd1KA
— Harish Dwivedi (@HarishD_BJP) October 28, 2024
The Bajrang Dal’s ongoing efforts to communalise festivals are evident in their recent campaigns promoting exclusive shopping within the Hindu community, following communal agenda during the Navratri and garba festivals, where Muslim youth faced assaults and exclusion. Bajrang Dal’s “Apna Tyohar” posters in Madhya Pradesh not only encourage boycotting Muslim businesses during Diwali but also reflect a broader strategy to foster division. It is particularly concerning that local administrations have allowed such communal posters and billboards to proliferate divisive agendas. The communal narrative promoted by right-wing groups seeks to marginalize Muslims from economic activities, echoing a broader anti-Muslim agenda. This was evident in communal attempts like the UP-government’s directive (later stayed by the Supreme Court) that required hotel and Dhaba owners to display nameplates, which further alienated Muslim businesses.
It is noteworthy that in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has urged people to buy goods from local shops for Diwali, setting an example by personally purchasing items from these stores. However, Bajrang Dal has put a different spin on this message.
Related:
Navratri celebrations disrupted by targeted attacks on Muslim youth and artist
VHP leader assaults Muslim youth attempting to enter Navratri event in UP
When Navratri’s joyous Garba dance becomes a garb for exclusion: Gujarat, MP