Hindu Organizations Protest Muslim Coordinator's Appointment for Ram Barat Procession in Madhya Pradesh

Representatives of Hindu groups insisted on stricter measures.

A controversy emerged in Gwalior when Hindu organizations protested against the appointment of former councilor Noor Alam 'Guddu' Warsi, a Muslim and state vice president of the BJP Minority Morcha, as one of the coordinators for the annual Shri Ram Barat procession. The event, organized by the Shri Ramlila Chal Samaroh Samiti at Phoolbagh grounds in Gwalior, is a significant part of the ongoing Ramlila celebrations.

The committee had designated three coordinators for this year's procession: Ramnarayan Mishra, Guddu Warsi, and Sanjay Katthal. However, the inclusion of Warsi's name on the official promotional materials sparked outrage.

Various Hindu organizations expressed their discontent, arguing that a non-Hindu should not be assigned responsibilities in a festival deeply embedded in Hindu tradition.

Following the initial protests, social media campaigns and demonstrations intensified. Posters criticizing Warsi's appointment appeared throughout areas of the city, while Hindu Jagran Manch leader Manish Upadhyay urged Ram devotees via Facebook to voice their opposition by directly contacting the festival's chief patron, former MLA Ramesh Agarwal, a close associate of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Under growing pressure, the former MLA issued an official directive removing Warsi from the position. In his statement to NDTV, he explained, "Since the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch were opposing it, we decided to remove him".

Addressing the controversy, Guddu Warsi maintained a peaceful approach. "I received information that some people objected to my holding the position. I have no objection because serving God requires no position. I have faith in Shri Ram and have been actively participating in the Ramlila for the past 25 years. I will continue to have faith and participate as I always have," he stated.

Representatives from Hindu organizations, however, insisted on more definitive measures.

Manoj Rajak of the Bajrang Dal stated, "Someone from a Hindu organization should have been appointed. If they hadn't removed him, we would have taken action ourselves. People from outside the faith have no business in Hindu festivals. We also demand that such people be removed from the party."

The Shri Ram Barat procession, scheduled to commence from the Sanatan Dharma Mandir, continues to be a major religious attraction in Gwalior. Despite the controversy, organizers have assured devotees that the event will proceed as planned.