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Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell examines suspicious social media offers ahead of Garba season. (Img: Pinterest)
Ahmedabad: A new social media trend offering "Rent A Garba Partner" services before Navratri 2026 has caught widespread attention across Gujarat and Maharashtra, prompting the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell to examine the authenticity of these viral advertisements.
The posts promise companions for Garba celebrations, dance lessons, matching outfits, selfies, Instagram reels and extended festival experiences at different price packages. While the trend has generated curiosity online, authorities are investigating whether some accounts could be linked to online fraud, fake promotions or attempts to misuse personal and financial information.
The controversy has also expanded into a larger discussion around the changing face of festival celebrations, commercialisation of traditional events, social media marketing strategies and security measures at Garba venues.
Ahead of Navratri celebrations, several Instagram posts and social media advertisements started promoting the idea of hiring a companion for Garba events.
The advertisements feature young men and women and offer different packages based on duration and services. Some posts claim to provide Garba partners for dance nights, shopping trips, learning Garba steps, wearing coordinated outfits, clicking photographs and creating social media content.
According to reports, some advertisements listed male companions at prices ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, while female companion packages were advertised at rates of up to Rs 3,000 for shorter sessions. Certain premium packages claimed to offer longer companionship options costing around Rs 6,500.
However, the actual authenticity of these advertisements remains under investigation. Authorities are examining whether these offers represent real services, promotional campaigns created for online engagement or possible cybercrime attempts.
The viral trend came under the scanner of the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell after multiple posts started circulating widely on social media platforms. Officials are examining the accounts behind these advertisements, the methods used to contact interested users and the payment channels being promoted.
One of the major concerns for investigators is the possibility of users being directed towards suspicious payment links, fake websites or unknown digital platforms. Such interactions can expose people to phishing attacks, financial fraud, account hacking attempts and misuse of private information.
Cyber officials have advised users to remain cautious while responding to attractive online offers, especially those requiring advance payments or personal details.
Festival-related trends often gain rapid popularity on social media because users engage with content that appears unique, entertaining or exclusive. Cyber experts warn that this popularity can also create opportunities for fraudsters.
A person responding to a Rent A Garba Partner advertisement may unknowingly interact with an unverified account. Fraudsters can potentially use such conversations to collect personal details, send malicious links or demand payments without providing any service.
Authorities have advised people not to share OTPs, banking details, passwords or sensitive information with unknown individuals online. Users have also been asked to avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unfamiliar attachments.
People who suspect online fraud can report incidents through cybercrime reporting channels, including the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
The investigation does not establish that every Rent A Garba Partner advertisement is fraudulent. Some social media users and content creators may have created similar posts as promotional material, satire or engagement-driven campaigns during the festive season.
However, the appearance of multiple advertisements across different accounts has encouraged authorities to examine whether some profiles are being used to mislead users or collect money through fraudulent methods.
Officials are also looking into the possibility of manipulated digital content, including AI-generated images and fake online identities, which have made it increasingly difficult for users to verify whether a social media profile represents a genuine person or service.
The digital trail of these advertisements has reportedly extended beyond Ahmedabad. Authorities are also examining accounts linked with cities such as Surat and Mumbai.
Garba and Dandiya events attract thousands of participants across Gujarat and Maharashtra, making festival-related promotions highly visible on social media platforms.
However, the presence of similar posts in multiple cities does not automatically confirm a connection between the accounts. Investigators are working to establish whether these profiles are connected or operating independently.
The Rent A Garba Partner controversy has emerged alongside another debate surrounding entry rules at Garba venues. Some Hindu organisations have demanded stricter verification measures at selected Garba events, including identity checks. The discussion has raised questions about security, privacy, cultural traditions and the management of large public gatherings.
Reports of Aadhaar card verification at certain venues have also attracted attention. Experts have pointed out that collection of identity information depends on the organisers, the purpose of data collection and applicable privacy requirements. Event organisers collecting personal information need to ensure transparency about why details are being collected, how they will be used and whether the information will be securely stored.
The Navratri season has also witnessed discussions about participation of people from different communities at Garba celebrations. Former Madhya Pradesh minister Usha Thakur has raised concerns about non-Hindu participation at Garba venues and supported identity verification measures. Her comments have added to an ongoing public debate over cultural practices and festival participation.
She has also made claims regarding inter-community relationships during Garba events, which have generated reactions and discussions from different sections of society. Union minister Ramdas Athawale has opposed calls to restrict participation based on religion and has said people from different communities have the right to participate in each other’s festivals.
The viral Garba partner advertisements highlight how traditional festivals are increasingly being shaped by digital platforms. Navratri celebrations today involve influencer promotions, online event marketing, digital communities and social media-driven experiences.
While many view such trends as modern ways of connecting people, others argue that excessive commercialisation can change the cultural character of festivals.
The debate around Rent A Garba Partner reflects a wider challenge faced by digital platforms: balancing creative online trends with user safety and responsible engagement.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell investigation will determine whether the viral advertisements are genuine festival-related services or whether some accounts are being used for fraudulent activities.
Until the investigation is completed, users are advised to verify online offers carefully, avoid unknown payment links and remain alert while interacting with unfamiliar social media profiles.
The controversy has brought together multiple issues ahead of Navratri 2026, including cyber security, online fraud risks, social media trends, festival commercialisation and debates around cultural practices.
