BJP Criticises Congress Chief Kharge Over Diwali Remarks

The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday for referring to Diwali as 'khushiyon ka Eid' during his festival greetings over the weekend. Mr Kharge had told reporters that Deepavali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India and described it using the phrase. BJP national media co-in-charge Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress of engaging in vote bank politics, alleging an anti-Sanatani mindset within the party and claiming the Gandhi-Vadra family drives an anti-Sanatan policy. Mr Bhandari also referenced past remarks involving Sonia Gandhi and the Sanatan faith to support his criticism. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned why the Congress party wanted to change the identity of Hindu festivals, asking whether the leadership would ever show the courage to call Eid a 'Diwali of joy'. Mr Bhatia added that Eid has its own significance while Deepavali has its own sanctity and traditions, insisting that Diwali will remain Diwali. Another BJP spokesperson, Tuhin Sinha, claimed that Muslims celebrate Eid only twice a year but the Congress party effectively wants to celebrate Eid ten to twelve times a year by treating every Hindu festival as an Eid of happiness. Mr Sinha also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refers to the Congress party as the Maowadi Muslim League Congress.

Context

Festivals and public statements by political leaders often trigger sharp political debates in India, particularly around themes of secularism and cultural identity. Parties frequently use such remarks during festive seasons to accuse rivals of appeasement politics and to rally their support bases.