Don’t change the identity of Hindu festivals’: BJP criticizes Kharge for the ‘khushiyon ka Eid’ statement.

On Monday, the BJP sharply criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for labeling Diwali as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’, urging him and senior party figure Rahul Gandhi to refer to Eid as the ‘Diwali of joy’. The ruling party further charged that the Congress is opposed to Sanatan values.

The dispute arises from Kharge’s comments to journalists while offering Diwali wishes over the weekend. “I extend my best wishes to everyone for Diwali. Many people celebrate it as it is an Eid of Happiness,” the Congress president said.

In response to his remarks, BJP’s national media co-incharge and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari stated that the Congress opted for vote bank politics even during Diwali, with the party president calling Diwali an “Eid of Happiness.” The BJP leader connected Kharge’s statements to remarks made by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi regarding the destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

“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, Anti Hindu,” Bhandari said. 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 said Eid has its own significance, and 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 asked. “Respect Hindus’ faith; don’t change the identity of their festivals. Diwali was, Diwali is, and Diwali will remain Diwali,” Bhatia said.

In a different post, Bhandari stated that the Congress prioritizes appeasement and vote banks even during festivals like Diwali, highlighting the party’s anti-Sanatani attitude. BJP spokesman CR Kesavan also condemned Kharge’s comments, calling the Diwali greeting a “twisted message” that offended Hindu religious feelings. In a post on X, Kesavan claimed that the Congress has consistently disrespected Hindu traditions in order to engage in what he labeled as appeasement politics.

He mentioned past political disputes related to the Maha Kumbh, Chhath Puja, Somnath temple, and Ram Mandir consecration, alleging that Congress leaders have made derogatory remarks about Hindu rituals.

The Congress leader responded to the BJP on Monday, stating that the ruling party had misinterpreted the meaning of his comments. His remarks came after criticism from other BJP leaders on Sunday, as the Congress president’s choice of language started eliciting political responses.

Defending Kharge the Congress leader told ANI, “Does anybody in the BJP have a dictionary in their house? I am sure they don’t. But they have a mobile. Can they google what does Eid mean? Eid means ‘tyohar’, Diwali ka ‘tyohar’, Holi ka ‘tyohar’ – that’s what he means. But these illiterate, ignorant fools sitting in the Govt would never understand what it means. Before wasting their time on Kharge ji’s speech and Congress speech, they should spend half the time in tutoring Mr Modi and preparing him for the upcoming debate with Mr Rahul Gandhi, because that’s going to be a spectacle. Are they so coward that they won’t have a debate with Rahul Gandhi? Then let them say that we are cowards and we can’t.”