HighLights
  1. "Rent A Garba Partner" trend goes viral for Navratri.
  2. Cyber police warn against potential scams, online fraud.
  3. Mumbai BJP MLA demands probe into Garba partner ads.

With the Navratri season approaching, people have begun preparing for the festival in their own ways. While many are shopping for traditional outfits, booking Garba and Dandiya passes, and looking up vrat recipes, Gen Z has taken over social media with a viral trend called “Rent A Garba Partner.”

The posts have been widely shared online in the run-up to Navratri, with cyber police officials from several states, including Gujarat and Maharashtra, warning users not to fall for such scams and to avoid sending money to strangers online.  

ALSO READ: VHP's Call To Ban Muslims From Garba Events Divides NDA: Amruta Fadnavis, Athawale Oppose, Nitesh Rane Backs Move

Mumbai BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay demanded a police investigation into the advertisements. In a social media post, the Borivli legislator said serious notice had been taken of packages being offered under the guise of “Rent A Garba Partner.”

“Serious notice has been taken of advertisements offering 'Garba Partners' for Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,500 under the guise of 'Rent a Garba Partner.' An immediate investigation into such instances has been demanded from the police administration, with strict action to be taken against the concerned organisers, advertisers, and responsible individuals if any wrongdoing is found,” Upadhyay said. 

Upadhyay also called for preventive measures to preserve the sanctity of the Navratri festival and ensure the safety of women and citizens.

"Such messages are going viral and trending on various social media platforms, saying that you can get a partner for rent for a certain amount, that you want to take them to a venue for Garba, or that you want to spend the whole day doing Garba hopping. So, many such posts are going viral, which have come to our attention through the social media monitoring cell. In this, I would say this much," IANS quoted Gujarat DCP (Cyber Crime) Lavina Sinha.

What Does the Ads Offer

The satirical Instagram posts claim to offer Garba companions on rent through multiple packages priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 6,500. The posts list different kinds of packages that, for example, include:

 
 
 
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Silver

* Two hours at garba

* Teach you basic steps

* Matching outfits (optional)

* Awkward but cute selfies

Gold

* Four hours at garba

* Matching outfits+ accessorising

* Cute backstory on how we met

* Reels, boomerangs and Insta photos

* Garba + gossip + chaat date

ALSO READ: 'Bar Muslims, Check IDs': VHP Issues Guidelines For Garba, Dandiya Events In Maharashtra

Platinum

* All-night garba

* Best dance moves and personal training

* Custom matching outfits 

* Unlimited photos + aesthetic reels + candids

* Hold your hands, biceps or waist in public;) Food runs (chaat, kulfi, falooda - my treat)

* Deep conversations, gossip and life talks

* End-of-night drop (if needed)

* A cute memory box (digital) with all pics 

The listings promise everything from two hours of dancing and “awkward but cute selfies” to matching outfits, personalised reels, all-night Garba sessions and even a “safe drop home.”

Another version, titled “Rent An NRI Garba Partner,” introduces a premium “Diamond” package featuring a “USA-returned” companion, complete with humorous descriptions such as “green-card-level confidence” and “airport send-off vibes.”


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