The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday accused the Congress of indulging in "appeasement politics" and hurting the sentiments of Hindus after AICC
president Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as an "Eid of happiness". Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in the national capital, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that the Congress had made it a practice to disrespect Hindu religious traditions while attempting to appease the Muslim community. "This is the DNA of the Congress party: Indulging in blatant appeasement of the Muslim class; and hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community even during a festival that symbolises joy, happiness and inclusiveness," Bhatia said. He said Kharge appeared reluctant to even acknowledge Diwali and alleged that his statement reflected the party's "anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan mindset". "We did not really expect Kharge to extend Diwali greetings to Hindus. But then came his statement... If Diwali is an Eid of happiness, then according to Kharge ji, Eid too would be a Diwali of happiness," he said.
Bhatia alleged that the Congress president was acting under the influence of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, claiming that his statements reflected their views.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is the remote-controlled national president of Congress; battery by Sonia Gandhi, holding the finger of Rahul Gandhi. Whatever statement Mallikarjun Kharge makes, he is actually furthering the anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatana mindset of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in his own words," Bhatia said.
"I must say the definition of the secularism for congress is to silence the majority. It seemed as though Mallikarjun Kharge might start crying while speaking about Diwali," he said.
"Diwali was celebrated, Diwali is celebrated and Diwali will continue to be celebrated. You can do whatever you want, but while living in India, you cannot hurt the sentiments of Hindus," he said.
Extending his Diwali greetings over the weekend, Kharge had told reporters that Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India and described it as 'khushiyon ka Eid'. Congress leader Pawan Khera defended Kharge, saying those criticising the remark were "semantically ignorant" as the word 'Eid' literally means "festival".
