BJP and Shiv Sena raised questions on Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement ‘Diwali is the Eid of happiness’. Congress defended the statement by explaining the meaning of the word Eid.
Political turmoil has started over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement calling Diwali as ‘Eid of happiness’. BJP leaders targeted Congress by linking it to appeasement and vote bank politics. Congress hit back and said that the word ‘Eid’ itself means festival. Shiv Sena has also raised questions on Kharge’s statement.
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. It was the same Kharge ji who had offensively demeaned the Maha Kumbh and our nation will never forget nor forgive how Rahul Gandhi crudely insulted the Chhath Puja, crudely labelling it as a drama. From Nehru’s Congress, which opposed the reconstruction of the glorious Somnath temple, to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress, which maliciously maligned the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Bhavya Ram Mandir as a Naach Gaana event, the Congress party continues to harbour a very bitter Hindu Virodhi mindset, pandering to its divisive vote bank politics of appeasement.
— CRKesavan (@crkesavan) November 9, 2026
Congress is anti-Sanatan: BJP
Taking aim at Kharge’s statement, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that Congress gave priority to vote bank politics even on festivals like Diwali. He accused Congress of having anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu thinking.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also raised questions on this statement. He said that Eid has its own importance and Diwali has its own sanctity, tradition and identity. He questioned whether changing the identity of Hindu festivals in the name of secularism has become a political etiquette? Bhatia asked Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge whether they would ever call Eid as ‘Diwali of happiness’? BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha also targeted Congress. He said that the Muslim community celebrates Eid twice a year, but Congress wants to present every Hindu festival as ‘Eid of happiness’.
Let Diwali remain Diwali: Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey also reacted to this statement. He said that if some people see Eid in Diwali, then some people also see Diwali in Eid. Anand Dubey said that Diwali symbolizes Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya from exile. In such a situation, Diwali should be allowed to remain Diwali. He also said that all religions and festivals should be respected, but both Diwali and Eid have their own identity and importance.
Congress defended Kharge
Congress has retaliated on BJP’s allegations. Congress leader Pawan Kheda posted on social media platform According to Kheda, ‘Eid’ literally means festival. In such a situation, Kharge’s statement should be understood in this context. He accused BJP of doing negative politics and said that even a festival like Diwali is being made an issue of controversy. Pawan Khera sarcastically said in his post that people should light a bulb or two in their minds to understand the spirit of Diwali and love for God.
The statement shows secular thinking
Congress leader Rashid Alvi also supported Kharge’s statement. He said that the word Eid is often used as a metaphor to express happiness, because Eid is synonymous with happiness. According to Alvi, if Mallikarjun Kharge has said this then it shows the thinking of a secular person. Questioning BJP’s response, he said that such sentiments cannot be expected from communally minded people. At present, this matter which started with wishes given on Diwali has turned into political rhetoric. While BJP is calling it appeasement politics, Congress is calling it a statement giving the message of happiness and harmony through festivals.