Muslims have been banned from entering the garba premises this Navratri in Mandvi taluka of Kutch, according to reports.

The ban is one of the many imposed on people by a local saffron outfit known as the Hindu Sangathan Yuva Morcha and other garba organisers. Not just Muslims, entry for Hindus is also restricted unless they agree to sprinkle cow urine on themselves and apply tilak on their forehead.

Talking about the ban, one of the members Raghuvirsinh Jadeja said, "We had banned the entry of people from other religions last year itself and framed these strict rules. But these are being more pronounced this year."

He also said, "Navratri is a religious festival in which devotees worship the deity of strength for nine days. We are also concerned over the rising number of cases of love jihad," a leading daily reported.

Commenting on the ban imposed by the saffron outfit, local Muslim leader Azam Angadia and vice-president of Kutch Vahanvata Association, said, "We are going to meet in a day or two to decide on our stand regarding such a decree. There are some elements who are making deliberate attempts at vitiating the atmosphere."