Culture minister Mahesh Sharma and BJP member Shahnawaz Hussain wish 'happy' Good Friday

NEW DELHI: Culture minister Mahesh Sharma and BJP member Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday left the party red-faced and invited a rash of criticism on Twitter for “wishing happiness“ on the occasion of Good Friday , a day when the crucification of Jesus Christ is solemnly commemorated.

The misplaced greetings were quite a faux pas considering that BJP was formed on Easter Sunday on April 6, 1980, and senior party members like L K Advani have made it a point to mention this at several party meetings. Sharma later deleted his tweet.

“May you be blessed with goodness and prosperity. Happy #Good Friday ,“ Sharma had tweeted, while Hussain said, “Warm Greetings on #GoodFriday to all of you!“ Talking to TOI afterwards, Mahesh Sharma however called it an inadvertent error.“I corrected it immediately and I apologise,“ he said.