Giriraj Singh criticizes Kharge's Diwali message, alleges minority appeasement

Kharge's original statement and Congress defense

During a media interaction, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as "khushiyon ka ek Eid," stating that the festival is a grand celebration of joy spanning a long period. In a greeting issued on November 7, Kharge stated, "Many people celebrate it as it is an Eid of Happiness… I urge those in conflict to set differences aside and foster national unity".

The Congress party defended the 84-year-old leader, stating that his use of the word "Eid" was intended metaphorically to promote communal harmony, mutual respect, and national unity. Congress leader Rashid Alvi echoed this defense, explaining that "Eid" is a common metaphor for joy used by secular individuals.

Rashid Alvi further argued that while both Eid and Diwali are festivals of joy, "Eid does not lead to an increase in the AQI (Air Quality Index)". He noted that the festival does not impact air quality.

Accusations of appeasement and Gandhi family influence

Giriraj Singh accused the Congress party of pursuing minority appeasement politics. He described Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as a mouthpiece for the Gandhi family who speaks based on their instructions. Singh claimed that the party has practiced such politics since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru.

He argued that the Congress party is attempting to divide Hindus while catering to Muslims. Singh stated that Kharge's true colours have been exposed through his recent remarks.

BJP leaders label Congress as anti-Hindu

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan accused the Congress of having a bitter Hindu mindset and engaging in toxic politics of religious appeasement. Kesavan alleged that Kharge had previously demeaned the Mahakumbh, referring to Kharge's questioning of BJP leaders taking dips in the Ganga while citizens faced poverty. The report clarifies that Rahul Gandhi's drama comment was directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed dip in the Yamuna during Chhath Puja, rather than the Chhath festival itself.

Pradeep Bhandari, another BJP spokesperson, labeled the Congress an anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu party. Bhandari claimed the party is engaging in pure votebank politics ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections due early next year. He cited the party's silence on Udhayanidhi Stalin's comments regarding Sanatan Dharma and the Gandhi-Vadra family's decision not to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Bhandari also referenced past events to support his claims, including Sonia Gandhi's reactions to the Babri Masjid demolition and the Batla House encounter. The report notes that the claim regarding Sonia Gandhi being happy witnessing the Babri demolition is at odds with facts, as she previously told The Guardian she cried while watching it on television. In 2012, Salman Khurshid stated that Sonia Gandhi wept bitterly when shown photographs of the 2008 Batla House encounter, which resulted in the death of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma.

Saraogi also questioned if the Congress would ever refer to another festival as the Deepwali of Joy. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia asked why Diwali could not be called by its own name and challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to label Eid as the Diwali of joy. BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha accused the Congress of trying to link Hindu festivals with Eid.

Singh questions Congress silence on specific incidents

Union Minister Giriraj Singh questioned the Congress party’s silence regarding the recent bomb blast in Ghaziabad. He noted that Kharge stayed silent after the explosion, which targeted Diwali celebrations.

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Singh accused Kharge of echoing the Gandhi family’s sentiments and engaging in Nehruvian politics that divide the country. He alleged that the Congress party competes for minority votes.

Singh also criticized the Congress leadership for its silence regarding remarks made by Irfan Ansari. He asserted that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi would not condemn individuals like Ansari while simultaneously commenting on Hindu festivals.

AIMIM criticises the comparison as a political stunt

AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan also criticized the remarks made by Mallikarjun Kharge. He described the comparison between Diwali and Eid as a political stunt intended for electoral gain.