Congress President Kharge's Diwali Greetings Spark Controversy

Speaking to reporters, Kharge had greeted the people of the country on Diwali, describing it as a festival of happiness and "eid of happiness." He said the festival of lights symbolises peace, harmony and national brotherhood. Festivals of all communities bring people closer to each other. The Congress president had also appealed to people to strengthen mutual unity on the occasion of the festival and bridge the gaps in society. Kharge's statement evoked varied reactions on social media and in political circles. Congress leaders and supporters said Kharge's intention was to promote communal harmony and mutual respect. According to him, the word "eid" was deliberately used here in a broad sense of happiness and to convey a message of unity among different cultures. However, the BJP strongly criticised the statement. Party national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari and other leaders called it an example of vote bank appeasement and politics. Bhandari accused the Congress of linking the festival to an "anti-Hindu cultural identity."