As the festivals of Karva Chauth and Diwali approach, a controversial statement from Ayodhya’s religious leaders has stirred debate. Saints from the temple town have appealed to Hindu women to refrain from getting mehndi (henna) applied by Muslim youths, citing concerns over alleged cases of “love jihad.”
Mahant Shashi Kant Das, president of the Sarayu Nritya Aarti committee, stated that Hindu women should only seek mehndi services from fellow Hindus during any festival. He claimed that reports in newspapers and social media suggest that some Muslim youths use such interactions to lure Hindu women, leading to exploitation and violence. “I appeal to all Hindu sisters to get mehndi applied only by Hindu brothers,” he said, adding that traditionally, women apply mehndi to each other within the community.
Echoing similar sentiments, Hanumangarhi’s saint Dr. Deveshacharya supported the stance, saying that applying mehndi is not a core tradition of Sanatan Dharma, especially during the Kartik month. He urged Hindu women to celebrate festivals by engaging only with Hindu vendors and service providers. “Economic support to Muslim vendors strengthens their community, which may later be used to promote jihad,” he claimed.
The remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing them as a call for cultural preservation, while others criticize them for promoting communal division during a season meant for unity and celebration. The issue continues to spark discussion across social and political circles.