BJP slams Kharge for calling Diwali 'Eid of joy', dares Congress to call Eid 'Diwali of joy'
The BJP has criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for referring to Diwali as 'Eid of joy', accusing the party of vote-bank politics and anti-Hindu sentiment. Meanwhile, major Indian cities are dealing with severe air pollution following the festival.
Why it matters
The exchange underscores the ongoing political polarization in India regarding religious identity and the recurring public health crisis of post-festival air quality.
New Delhi The BJP on Monday (November 9, 2026) came down heavily on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for calling Diwali a 'khushiyon ka Eid', and dared him and senior Opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi to call Eid a 'Diwali of joy'. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mallikarjun-kharge-the-marathon-man/article66045934.ece https://www.thehindu.com/topic/Rahul_Gandhi/ The BJP also called the Congress an anti-Sanatani party. Also Read | In Pictures: From homes to markets, India celebrates the festival of lights https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-pictures-celebration-of-deepavali/article71681165.ece Extending his Deepavali greetings over the weekend, Mr. Kharge told reporters that Deepavali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India and described it as 'khushiyon ka Eid'. https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/significance-of-deepavali/article68814760.ece Reacting to his comments, BJP's national media co-in-charge and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Congress chose vote bank politics even on Deepavali with the party president describing Deepavali as an "Eid of Happiness".
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