BJP attacks Congress chief over Diwali greeting remarks

The controversy erupted after Kharge's choice of words in his Diwali message on Saturday drew sharp rebuke from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the opposition leader of conflating different religious festivals.

The BJP argued that each festival holds distinct cultural and religious significance and should be treated separately. Party leaders seized on Kharge's remarks as an example of what they characterized as insensitive handling of India's diverse festival calendar.

The row underscores ongoing political tensions between the ruling coalition and the Congress party over cultural and religious matters. Such disputes over festival greetings and the language used in public acknowledgments have periodically surfaced in Indian political discourse, often becoming flashpoints between parties with differing ideological perspectives.

Kharge's office has not immediately issued a clarification on the matter. The incident reflects the heightened sensitivity surrounding religious and cultural issues in Indian politics, where public statements on festivals are frequently scrutinized for their framing and inclusivity.