NEW DELHI — A political row erupted on Monday following Diwali remarks by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who described the festival of lights as a prolonged “celebration of joy, an Eid of happiness” while extending greetings to the nation.
The statement drew immediate fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the opposition leadership of degrading traditional cultural festivals for political appeasement, while Congress defenders maintained the phrase was a benevolent call for harmony.
Festive Address and Contextual Defense
Speaking to reporters during nationwide holiday observances, the Congress chief framed the festival as a unifier across communities:
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Kharge’s Festive Call: Extending warm wishes across Indian households, Kharge described Deepavali as a long-standing national tradition centered on bringing people together and overcoming social fault lines.
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Linguistic Clarification: Congress spokespersons defended the party chief, stating that “Eid” was referenced in its generic cultural sense—denoting a grand, joyful celebration—to stress national unity rather than blur distinct religious identities.
Political Counter-Attacks and Opposition Reactions
Ruling coalition leaders and regional opposition figures sharply disputed the analogy, asserting that religious festivals should retain their distinct cultural nomenclature:
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BJP Rebuttal: BJP leaders condemned the phrasing as an unnecessary alteration of a major Hindu festival, arguing that such cross-cultural terminology is selectively applied for political messaging.
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AIMIM Reaction: AIMIM representatives also criticized the remarks, describing the comparison as an artificial political maneuver aimed at voter outreach rather than genuine interfaith dialogue.
