BJP criticises Congress president Kharge for controversial Diwali remark

The BJP on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for calling Diwali a ‘Khushiyon Ka Eid,’ daring him and senior opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to call Eid a ‘Diwali of joy,’ reported PTI.

Several BJP spokespersons criticised Kharge’s statement, accusing Congress of being anti-Sanatani.

Highlighting Kharge’s statement, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Congress chose vote bank politics even on Diwali.


"Recall Sonia Gandhi crying for 'Babri'. In the past, when Sanatan was called 'Dengue Malaria Aid,' the Congress was silent! Under Gandhi Vadra family Policy of Congress is anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu," PTI reported, citing Bhandari.

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Additionally, BJP's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said in a post on X, "Mr Kharge, what exactly is the problem with calling Diwali, the biggest festival of Hindus, by its own name?"

Bhatia emphasised that the festivals had their own significance, adding Diwali has its own sanctity, traditions and identity.

"Has changing the identity of Hindu festivals become a matter of political etiquette in Congress's so-called secularism? Rahul Gandhi and Mr Kharge, answer this: will you ever have the courage to call Eid the "Diwali of joy," he questioned.

"Respect Hindus' faith; don't change the identity of their festivals. Diwali was, Diwali is, and Diwali will remain Diwali," Bhatia said.

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Bhandari, in another post, said the Congress thinks of appeasement and vote banks even on occasions like Diwali, and that shows the anti-Sanatani mindset of the Congress party.

The BJP’s criticism comes amid a broader political confrontation between the incumbent party and the opposition.

Earlier, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in an X post, targeted senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi coming to power and remaining in office with foreign assistance and that India’s financial system was controlled by external powers, according to ANI.

Additionally, PM Modi had earlier criticised the opposition of being an "obstructionist force” and alleged that certain forces were conspiring to divide the country.

(With inputs from Agencies)