Congress chief's 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' greeting sparks political row over religious language

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's Diwali greeting has become a flashpoint in India's ongoing political discourse over religious messaging, with the BJP accusing the opposition party of appeasing one religious community over another.

Kharge's use of the phrase 'Khushiyon Ki Eid'—literally translating to 'Festival of Joys'—in his festival message has drawn sharp criticism from ruling coalition politicians, who contend the language reflects selective religious sensitivity during Hindu festivals.

The Congress party has pushed back against the criticism, arguing that 'Eid' was deployed in its broader linguistic sense as a term signifying celebration and festivity, rather than carrying exclusively Islamic connotations. Party officials maintained that the message was intended as a metaphorical call for national unity that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

The controversy reflects the broader polarization around religious symbolism in Indian political discourse, with opposition and ruling parties frequently engaging in disputes over the language used in festival greetings and public communications. Such exchanges have become increasingly common during major festivals as political parties compete to demonstrate cultural sensitivity while avoiding accusations of appeasement from rival camps.