Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Diwali khushiyon ka ek Eid hai' remark draws backlash from BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as an “Eid of Happiness”, accusing the opposition party of appeasement politics ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused the Congress of trying to divide Hindus and appease Muslims, while calling Kharge a “mouthpiece” of the Gandhi family.

“Look, this isn't just a thing. Kharge is a mouthpiece of Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. He speaks what the input in the machine is. You're playing the game of appeasement in this country... Nehru divided the country, and you've been practising appeasement politics ever since. You try to divide Hindus and appease Muslims. Your tongue, Rahul Gandhi's tongue, will never open on Irfan Ansari. Four lines on Hindu festivals, no good words,” Singh told ANI.

Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi also accused the Congress of deliberately hurting Hindu sentiments, claiming Kharge's choice of words was part of a conspiracy at the behest of the Gandhi family.

“The Congress party has become so blind that it is seeking appeasement even on this eternal festival of the victory of light over darkness. The poison of Hindu hatred that courses through the very veins of the Congress party is now openly coming out from the mouths of its leaders. Mallikarjun Kharge's calling our most sacred festival the 'Eid of Joy' is no mistake, but a deliberate conspiracy at the behest of the Gandhi family,” Saraogi said.

He further asked whether the Congress would describe any other festival as the “Deepwali of Joy”.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a video message on X, called the Congress an “anti-Sanatan, anti-Hindu” party and alleged that Kharge's remarks reflected its vote-bank politics.

“Congress is an anti-Sanatan, anti-Hindu party, which is why Mallikarjun Kharge called Deepawali an 'Eid of Happiness'. This is pure vote-bank politics ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections,” Bhandari said.

He also accused the Congress leadership of remaining silent when DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin compared Sanatan Dharma to “dengue” and “malaria”. Bhandari further referred to the Gandhi family's absence from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as evidence of what he described as the party's approach towards Hindu issues.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan also criticised Kharge's remarks, calling them a “twisted message” that hurt the sentiments of Hindu devotees.

In a post on X, Kesavan said, “Congress President Kharge’s twisted Diwali message underlines the blunt fact that the Congress party never hesitates to hurt and humiliate the faith and sentiments of crores of Hindu devotees just to peddle its toxic vote bank politics of appeasement.”

He also referred to Kharge's remarks on the Maha Kumbh and Rahul Gandhi's comments on Chhath Puja, accusing the Congress of harbouring an anti-Hindu mindset. Kesavan further cited the party's opposition to the reconstruction of the Somnath temple and its criticism of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony.

Congress defends Kharge's remarks

Congress leader Rashid Alvi defended Kharge, saying Eid was commonly used as a metaphor for happiness and that the remark reflected a secular outlook.

Speaking to ANI, Alvi said, “Clearly, when it comes to expressing joy, Eid is often used as a metaphor, much like how, when someone reappears after a long absence, people ask, 'Kya tum Eid ka chand ho gaye ho?' Eid is synonymous with joy. If Mallikarjun Kharge made such a remark, it is the kind of sentiment only a secular person could express.”

He added that both Eid and Diwali were festivals of joy, while making a reference to air pollution.

“Furthermore, there is a distinction between Eid and Diwali: while both are festivals of joy, Eid does not lead to an increase in the AQI (Air Quality Index),” Alvi said.

The controversy began on November 7, when Kharge extended Diwali greetings and appealed for peace and national unity.

“I extend my best wishes to everyone for Diwali. Many people celebrate it as it is an Eid of Happiness... On this festive occasion, I would like to convey my greetings to all my fellow countrymen. I also have a special appeal: it is essential to maintain peace in the nation. I urge those who may be in conflict or harbouring misunderstandings with one another to set these differences aside. Let us all work wholeheartedly to protect our country and foster national unity,” the Congress president told reporters.

(With ANI inputs)