- The Congress president described Diwali as ‘Khushiyon Ka Eid’ while extending festive greetings.
- BJP leaders accused Congress of appeasement politics and challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to call Eid a ‘Diwali of joy’.
- Pawan Khera defended the statement, saying the word ‘Eid’ means festival and that Kharge’s remark was being misinterpreted.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as ‘Khushiyon Ka Eid’ or an ‘Eid of happiness’. BJP leaders also challenged Kharge and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to describe Eid as a ‘Diwali of joy’.
The controversy followed Kharge’s Diwali greetings over the weekend. While wishing people on the occasion, he described Diwali as a major festival celebrated across the country and referred to it as ‘Khushiyon Ka Eid’.
The BJP objected to the expression, alleging that it diluted the identity and religious significance of the Hindu festival.
BJP Accuses Congress of Appeasement Politics
BJP national media co-incharge and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Congress of engaging in vote-bank politics even during Diwali.
He alleged that the party’s approach reflected an anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu mindset. His criticism also referred to earlier political controversies involving Congress leaders.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned why Kharge had used the word Eid while referring to Diwali.
Bhatia said both festivals have their own significance, traditions and identity. He challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to show similar willingness to describe Eid as a ‘Diwali of joy’.
Another BJP spokesperson, Tuhin Sinha, also criticised the Congress president’s choice of words and accused the party of repeatedly using the expression ‘Khushiyon Ki Eid’ for Hindu festivals.
BJP leaders maintained that Diwali should be recognised by its own name and cultural significance.
Congress Defends Kharge’s Statement
The Congress responded to the BJP’s criticism on Monday, defending Kharge’s description of Diwali.
Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said the word ‘Eid’ literally means a festival and argued that Kharge’s statement was being misunderstood.
Khera described the criticism as semantically ignorant and said people should listen to Kharge’s complete statement rather than interpret the expression in isolation.
The Congress maintained that the remark was intended to convey the message of happiness and celebration associated with Diwali.
Political Debate Over Festival Greetings
The exchange has triggered a wider political debate over the language used by political leaders while extending greetings during religious festivals.
While the BJP argued that Diwali has a distinct religious and cultural identity that should be respected, the Congress defended Kharge’s use of the expression as a reference to celebration and happiness.
The controversy has also brought the meaning and interpretation of festival-related expressions into the political discussion.
Neither side has indicated that the exchange will end the debate, with leaders from both parties continuing to defend their respective positions.
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