BJP's Trivedi accuses INDIA Bloc of 3 goals: power grab, division, anti-Hindu hatred
Synopsis
BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi publicly reduced the entire INDIA Bloc to three blunt charges — power lust, social division, and anti-Hindu hatred — citing Kharge's Diwali remark and SP's defence of kar sevak firing as proof. The press conference signals a sharp BJP escalation in the culture-war framing of Opposition politics ahead of key electoral battles.
Key Takeaways
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on 11 November accused the INDIA Bloc of three goals: 'looting power', 'dividing society', and 'hatred' towards Indian culture and Hinduism.
Trivedi targeted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for reportedly describing Diwali as 'Khushiyon ki Eid', calling it evidence of contempt for Indian traditions.
He accused the Samajwadi Party of 'duplicity' by linking Sanatan Pandey's defence of kar sevak firing to Akhilesh Yadav's planned Ayodhya visit on 12 December .
Trivedi said the three objectives had already been flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
The press conference also referenced statements by TMC MP Kirti Azad , Imran Masood , and Sonia Gandhi as further evidence of the Opposition's alleged 'anti-Hindu' stance.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on Wednesday, 11 November accused the INDIA Bloc of harbouring three core objectives — 'looting power', 'dividing society', and nurturing 'hatred' towards Indian culture and Hinduism. Trivedi made the remarks at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, responding to recent statements by Opposition leaders including Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Sanatan Pandey, and Indian National Congress (Congress) president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Key Allegations Against the Opposition
Trivedi, a Rajya Sabha MP, charged that the Congress and the INDIA Bloc have a consistent record of 'insulting Indian culture and Hinduism' while pursuing what he called the 'politics of minority appeasement'. He cited statements by Mallikarjun Kharge, Imran Masood, and Sonia Gandhi as evidence of what he described as an 'anti-India' and 'anti-Hindu' mindset within the Congress.
He added that the three objectives and their 'destructive design' had already been flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Diwali Remark Controversy
Taking strong exception to Kharge's reported description of Diwali as 'Khushiyon ki Eid', Trivedi argued the phrasing illustrated the Opposition's contempt for India's traditions. He drew a pointed contrast: 'The Indonesian Prime Minister has no hesitation in extending Diwali greetings. Malaysian President Anwar Ibrahim extends greetings using the word Diwali. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai displays the word Diwali, but the Congress President chooses to call it Khushiyon Ki Eid,' he said.
The remark has drawn criticism from BJP leaders who argue it reflects a reluctance within the Congress leadership to identify openly with Hindu festivals.
SP's Ayodhya 'Duplicity' Charge
Trivedi also trained his fire on the Samajwadi Party over Sanatan Pandey's reported defence of the state government's decision to open fire on kar sevaks during the Ayodhya movement in the early 1990s. He contrasted this with reports that SP leader Akhilesh Yadav plans to visit Ayodhya with his family on 12 December to offer prayers.
'One Pandey talks about ordering the firing, while the other talks about visiting Ayodhya for darshan. The people of Uttar Pradesh understand very well the Samajwadi Party's real intentions behind these statements,' Trivedi said.
Broader Political Context
The press conference reflects a continuing BJP strategy of framing the INDIA Bloc as culturally hostile ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Critics within the Opposition argue that the BJP is using religious symbolism to deflect scrutiny of governance issues. This comes amid a broader escalation of rhetoric between the ruling alliance and the Opposition, with both sides accusing each other of divisive politics.
Trivedi concluded by asserting that the Congress and SP operate through 'only two ways of doing politics: either insulting Hinduism and Indian culture, or deceiving people in their name.' Whether these charges reshape voter perception in key states will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Point of View
Shareable symbol that travels well beyond political circles. What is notable, and largely missed, is the SP dimension: by linking Sanatan Pandey's firing defence to Akhilesh Yadav's planned Ayodhya visit, the BJP is attempting to corner the SP on its Ayodhya credibility in its home state of Uttar Pradesh. The 'three objectives' framing is deliberate message discipline — simple, negative, repeatable — and its effectiveness will ultimately depend on whether the INDIA Bloc offers a coherent counter-narrative or remains reactive.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi say about the INDIA Bloc?
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on 11 November accused the INDIA Bloc of pursuing three objectives: 'looting power', 'dividing society', and harbouring hatred towards Indian culture and Hinduism. He made the remarks at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, citing recent statements by Congress, SP, and TMC leaders.
Why did Trivedi object to Mallikarjun Kharge's Diwali remark?
Kharge reportedly referred to Diwali as 'Khushiyon ki Eid', which Trivedi said reflected contempt for India's traditions. He contrasted this with international leaders — including the Indonesian Prime Minister and Malaysian President Anwar Ibrahim — and landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, all of whom he said use the word 'Diwali' without hesitation.
What is the BJP's allegation against the Samajwadi Party over Ayodhya?
BJP's Trivedi accused the SP of 'duplicity' by pointing out that SP leader Sanatan Pandey defended the state government's order to fire on kar sevaks during the Ayodhya movement in the early 1990s, while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is reportedly planning to visit Ayodhya for prayers on 12 December.
Who else was cited by Trivedi in his allegations against the Congress?
Besides Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trivedi cited statements by Congress leaders Imran Masood and Sonia Gandhi as examples of what he called the party's 'anti-India' and 'anti-Hindu' mindset.
What is the broader political significance of these allegations?
The BJP's remarks are part of a sustained strategy to frame the INDIA Bloc as culturally hostile to Hindu traditions ahead of upcoming elections. The Opposition has countered that the BJP uses religious rhetoric to divert attention from governance issues, making culture a central battleground in Indian politics.
