A seemingly romantic gesture by an Indian-origin couple during a Navratri garba event in Vadodara has escalated into a cultural controversy, sparking widespread debate over respect for traditions and modern expressions of affection.

The Viral Incident

The controversy began on September 26 at the United Way Garba, held at the Kalali ground in Vadodara, Gujarat. The event is considered one of the largest Navratri celebrations in the world, attracting nearly 30,000–35,000 participants every night, including a significant number of NRIs.

Garba ek pavitra parampara hai
Lekin kuch couples ise badnaam kar rahe hain – dance floor par kiss, galat poses aur public mein ashobhniya harkatein @GujaratPolice कृपया ऐसे मामलों पर ध्यान दें।
Garba khelne आएं, अश्लील हरकतें करने नहीं। pic.twitter.com/9o2m8d7Ar7
— Nisha Bharti (@Smiley_Nisha0) September 27, 2025

In the viral clip, the couple can be seen dancing with enthusiasm when the husband suddenly lifts his wife and kisses her on the lips in the middle of the dance circle. While some in the crowd cheered, the act was caught on camera, and the video quickly spread across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp groups, sparking outrage.

Outrage and Social Media Backlash

The gesture drew sharp criticism from locals and netizens, who called the act “disrespectful” and “obscene.”

“Navratri garba is a devotional celebration dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is not a place for PDA,” a Vadodara resident said.
Another user on X posted, “This is a sacred festival, not a nightclub. Acts like these insult our culture.”

The criticism also extended to concerns about the “commercialization” and “westernization” of Garba events, which have become popular among NRIs and youth.

However, the backlash wasn’t unanimous. A section of netizens defended the couple, questioning whether the reaction was exaggerated.

“It was a simple kiss between husband and wife, not vulgar at all. People are overreacting,” wrote one social media user.
Another commented, “Why is showing affection still a taboo in India? This controversy is unnecessary.”

Police Intervention and Apology

Following multiple written complaints, the matter reached the Atladra Police Station. Officials traced the couple, who were later identified as long-time residents of Melbourne, Australia, married for 16 years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Flirting Lines (@flirting.lines)

The police summoned them for questioning. Instead of pressing charges, the authorities advised them to acknowledge the public sentiment. The couple subsequently submitted a written apology, stating:“We did not intend to hurt anyone’s cultural or religious sentiments. It was an innocent moment of affection, but we now realise that our actions were inappropriate in the context of Navratri celebrations.”

Police officials confirmed that after the apology, no further action was taken. The couple quietly returned to Australia soon after.

Organizers Distances Themselves

The United Way of Baroda, which organizes the massive garba event every year, distanced itself from the controversy. In a brief statement, a spokesperson said: “We expect all participants to respect the sanctity of the event. While the incident was unfortunate, we appreciate that the couple apologised.”

The organizers also hinted at considering stricter entry rules and behavioral codes for future events to prevent similar controversies.

Past Incidents of Cultural Sensitivity

This is not the first time Garba events have faced controversy.

In previous years, complaints were made about inappropriate dressing, drunken behaviour, and non-traditional music during Garba nights.
In 2019, organizers in some cities even banned couples from “getting too cosy” during the dances.

Such incidents highlight the constant tension between preserving tradition and adapting to global influences in cultural festivals.

Larger Questions Raised

The Vadodara kiss incident has left behind more than just a controversy. It raises larger questions:

Should cultural and religious spaces have stricter rules about behaviour?
Is India still uncomfortable with public displays of affection, even between married couples?
How should NRIs balance their modern lifestyles with traditional Indian norms when visiting?

Conclusion

For now, the matter has been settled with an apology and the couple’s quiet departure from India. But the video continues to circulate online, symbolizing the delicate balance between modern love and cultural sanctity in India’s evolving social landscape.

As Navratri celebrations continue across the country, organisers are likely to tighten codes of conduct to avoid further controversies while society continues to debate whether such restrictions represent protection of culture or unnecessary moral policing.

Top Stories

More Stories