New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’ and dared him and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi to call Eid a ‘Diwali of joy’.
The BJP also accused the Congress of being an anti-Sanatani party.
While extending 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’.
Reacting to his remarks, BJP national media co-in-charge and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Congress had chosen vote-bank politics even on Diwali, with its president describing the festival 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.
Even on Diwali, Congress chose vote bank politics!Congress President called Deepawali as "Eid of Happiness"Recall Sonia Gandhi crying for " Babri"In past when Sanatan was called "Dengue Malaria Aid" Congress was silent!Under Gandhi Vadra family Policy of Congress is Anti Sanatan Anti Hindu!
BJP 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 had its own significance, while Diwali had 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, Congress party effectively wants to celebrate Eid 10-12 times a year.Thats why this Congress 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 politics even on occasions like Diwali, which, he said, showed the party's anti-Sanatani mindset.