'We are happy in our own world': Kinjal Dave’s father shares cryptic note amid engagement row

Amid the ongoing controversy around popular Gujarati singer Kinjal Dave’s engagement her father Lalit Dave has once again shared a message that many see as deeply meaningful. This time it was not an angry post or a long explanation. It was a simple note in Gujarati shared on Instagram but it carried a strong feeling.

The note read, “ગુજરાતના સાડા છ કરોડ માણસોમાં તમારી જોડે ખાલી સાડા સોળ સારાને સજ્જન માણશો તમારા સુખ દુઃખ માં ઊભા હોય તેવા લોકો તમારી જોડે છે તો તમારૂ આખું જીવન હસ્તાને રમતા મોજ અને મસ્તી થી વિતાવી શકો છો આજુબાજુ માં જેટલી ભીડ ઓછી ને જેટલી મોકળાશ હશે એટલો જીવનનો આનંદ વધું માણી શકશો
લલિત દવે
જય ચેહર સરકાર જેસંગપુરા.” This is translated as, “Out of the six and a half crore people in Gujarat, if you have even just sixteen truly good and kind people with you—people who stand by you in your happiness and sorrow then you can spend your entire life smiling, playing, enjoying, and living in joy. The less crowd you have around you and the more open space and freedom you keep, the more you will be able to enjoy life.
Lalit Dave
Jai Chehar Sarkar, Jesangpura.”

The controversy that started it all

The issue began after Kinjal Dave, often called the “Garba Queen” of Gujarat, got engaged to actor Dhruvin Shah. The engagement brought happiness to her fans. But soon after, a section of society reacted with anger.

The problem was not about the couple but it was about caste. Kinjal and Dhruvin Shah belong to different castes. This inter-caste engagement did not go down well with some members of the Five Pargana Audichya Brahmin community.

A meeting was held at Shihori in Kankrej. During this meeting, some community leaders announced that Kinjal Dave and her family would be boycotted for life. They also said that anyone who invited the family to weddings or social events would face action. The words were strong. The message was harsh.

Soon, the criticism became personal. Online comments crossed limits. Kinjal Dave was forced to come out and defend her family. She spoke about her right to choose her life partner. She also warned that legal action would be taken against trolls who continued to attack her and her family.