Kiss At Garba Night Sparks Outrage, Couple Leaves India

An Indian-origin couple’s public display of affection (PDA) during a garba event in Vadodara caught the attention of netizens. The video went viral and the couple had to issue an apology, as many deemed it inappropriate on social media. Subsequently, ignited debate on cultural norms and PDA during religious festivities.

According to a report in Desh Gujarat, the NRI couple submitted a written apology to the police and left the country for Melbourne, where they are based. The couple was married for 16 years and they travelled to Vadodara to visit their parents and take part in the garba dance. What began as a romantic moment quickly turned into a talking point as the footage spread like wildfire on various social media platforms.

The viral clip shows the male partner lifting the girl and kissing her on the lips, after dancing energetically in the group. On September 26, the couple tok part in the event held at the Kalali ground in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The event is one of the world’s largest Navratri gatherings, as over 30,000-35,000 people take part, including NRIs from across the globe. Netizens and locals condemned the act as “disrespectful” to the sacred nature of the event, as it is associated with Navratri. One of the users said: “This is a sacred site, not a nightclub!” while another said , “Obscene acts at garba are unacceptable.”

One other netizen defended the couple and questioned: “Ridiculous. How is this obscene? It was a peck…. not a passionate kiss. It was just a show of affection.” Some others lodged complaint at the Atladra police station leading the authorities to trace and summon the couple, who submitted a written apology at the station.