New Delhi: BJP Monday accused the Congress of indulging in “appeasement politics” and hurting the sentiments of Hindus over party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s description of Diwali as an “Eid of happiness”.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that the Congress had made it a practice to disrespect Hindu religious traditions while attempting to appease the Muslim community.
Extending his Diwali greetings over the weekend, Kharge had told reporters that Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India and described it as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’.
Congress leader Pawan Khera defended Kharge, saying those criticising the remark were “semantically ignorant” as the word ‘Eid’ literally means festival.
“The word ‘Eid’ literally means “festival”. Now go and listen to his statement again. It is perfectly normal unlike the Sanghi negativity that makes some people incapable of sparing even a festival,” Khera said in a post on X.
“In the spirit of Diwali and for the love of God, please light a bulb or two in your brain as well, and spare the rest of us the public display of your stupidity,” he added. Khera ended his post by calling the critics “jahil kahin ke” (ignorant people).
Bhatia said, “This is the DNA of the Congress party: one, indulging in blatant appeasement of the Muslim class; and two, hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community even during a festival that symbolises joy, happiness and inclusiveness.”
Questioning Kharge’s remark, he said the Congress president appeared reluctant to even acknowledge Diwali and alleged that his statement reflected the party’s “anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan mindset”.
“Everyone was extending Diwali greetings. We did not really expect Mallikarjun Kharge ji to extend Diwali greetings to Hindus. But then came his statement, in which he said, ‘Diwali is an Eid of happiness’,” Bhatia said.
He also alleged that Kharge was acting under the influence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, claiming that his statements reflected their views.
“Mallikarjun Kharge ji, the Congress president, who is effectively controlled by a remote control in the hands of Sonia Gandhi, with Rahul Gandhi pulling the strings,” he said.
BJP’s national media co-incharge and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Congress chose vote bank politics even on Diwali with the party president describing Diwali as an “Eid of Happiness”.
“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 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.
Another BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said Muslims celebrate Eid only twice a year but the Congress party wants to celebrate every Hindu festival as “Khushiyon ki Eid.”
“So, Cong party effectively wants to celebrate Eid 10-12 times a year.Thats why this Cong party is MMC (Maowadi Muslim League Cong) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it,” he added.
In another post, Bhandari said the Congress thinks of appeasement and vote bank even on occasions like Diwali and that shows the anti-Sanatani mindset of the Congress party.
BJP MP Tarun Chugh accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Chugh said the remark has hurt the sentiments of crores of Sanatanis and alleged that the party was hesitant to acknowledge the identity of Hindu festivals due to vote-bank politics.
“By describing Diwali as the Eid of happiness, whom is Kharge ji trying to appease? Has vote-bank politics had such an influence that the Congress is even hesitant to acknowledge the identity of Hindu festivals?” he said.
Chugh said Diwali is an Indian festival celebrated across the world and associated with the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya. He accused the Congress of insulting Indian culture and said the sentiments of Ram devotees across the world had been hurt.
“Kharge sahib, in an attempt to please your Muslim League patrons and strengthen your alliance, you are repeatedly engaging in activities that are anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that you are now insulting India’s culture. Just to appease others, have you now made Indian culture a target of your criticism and abuse?” he added.