BJP attacks Kharge over 'Khusiyon ki Eid' Diwali remark, calls it anti-Hindu
Synopsis
A single phrase — 'Khusiyon ki Eid' — has handed the BJP a sharp political weapon. By framing Kharge's Diwali greeting as proof of a deep anti-Hindu bias within Congress, the BJP is doing what it does best: converting a rhetorical misstep by the opposition into a cultural flashpoint with broad mobilisation potential.
Key Takeaways
BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia addressed a press conference at BJP headquarters, New Delhi on 9 November 2026 .
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had described Diwali as 'Khusiyon ki Eid' , drawing BJP's sharp condemnation.
Bhatia alleged Kharge is a 'remote-controlled president' steered by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi .
BJP challenged Kharge to call Eid the 'Khusiyon ki Diwali' if he truly believed in religious equality.
Bhatia also questioned why the Gandhi family had reportedly never visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya .
Congress had not issued a formal response as of the time of this report.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 9 November 2026, launched a sharp attack on Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge over his description of Diwali as 'Khusiyon ki Eid', accusing the opposition party of harbouring an 'anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan mindset' and branding Kharge a 'remote-controlled president'. The broadside was delivered at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.
What Was Said and By Whom
BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Congress consistently engages in appeasement politics during moments of national celebration, disrespecting the religious sentiments of Hindu followers in the process. 'An atmosphere of happiness and celebration is clearly visible across the country. But whenever there is an atmosphere of joy and celebration in India, why is it that an Opposition party like the Congress engages only in appeasement politics?' Bhatia alleged at the press conference.
Bhatia specifically targeted Kharge's choice of words, claiming the Congress president appeared uncomfortable using the word 'Diwali' and instead coined the phrase 'Khusiyo ki Eid'. 'Why does it cause Kharge ji such pain to say Diwali? Why does his tongue falter at the very word?' Bhatia alleged, adding that the remark had hurt the sentiments of 'crores of Hindus'.
BJP's 'Remote-Controlled President' Charge
Bhatia alleged that Kharge functions under the influence of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, describing him as a figurehead rather than an independent party chief. 'Whatever statements Mallikarjun Kharge makes should be seen as reflecting the anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan thinking of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Kharge himself,' he alleged.
The BJP spokesperson also raised a pointed challenge: if Kharge genuinely believed in inter-religious equality, he should by the same logic refer to Eid as 'Khusiyon ki Diwali'. 'This is part of a deliberate conspiracy; a specific mindset within the Congress,' Bhatia alleged.
Ayodhya and the Ram Temple Reference
Bhatia broadened his attack to encompass the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, calling it a 'source of pride for Hindus as well as Indians' and questioning why Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had reportedly never visited the temple. He also recalled a past controversy involving a Congress affidavit, in which, he claimed, the party had described Lord Ram as a 'merely fictional character' — an allegation the Congress has previously contested.
Congress Yet to Formally Respond
As of the time of this report, the Congress party had not issued a formal response to the BJP's press conference. The row marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing political battle over cultural and religious symbolism, particularly around Hindu festivals. This comes amid a broader pattern of BJP-Congress exchanges intensifying ahead of upcoming state electoral cycles, with both sides deploying identity-and-faith framing as a mobilisation tool.
Point of View
Intent rarely survives a hostile framing. What is striking is how quickly a Diwali greeting becomes a vehicle for attacking the entire Gandhi family and relitigating the Ram Temple debate. The Congress, by staying silent, hands the BJP an open field to define the narrative.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mallikarjun Kharge say that triggered the BJP's attack?
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as 'Khusiyon ki Eid' — a phrase the BJP alleges reflects discomfort with Hindu festivals and an appeasement-driven mindset. The BJP has used the remark to accuse Kharge and the Congress of an 'anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan' ideology.
What did BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia allege at the press conference?
Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Kharge is a 'remote-controlled president' guided by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and that his remarks reflect the Congress party's broader anti-Hindu DNA. He also challenged Kharge to refer to Eid as 'Khusiyon ki Diwali' if he truly believed in inter-religious equality.
How did Congress respond to the BJP's attack?
As of the time of this report, Congress had not issued a formal response to the BJP's press conference allegations. The party has in past instances contested BJP claims regarding its stance on Hindu festivals and Lord Ram.
Why did the BJP bring up the Ram Temple in Ayodhya?
BJP spokesperson Bhatia used the Ram Temple reference to question why Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had reportedly never visited Ayodhya, framing it as further evidence of what he called the Congress party's indifference to Hindu religious sentiments.
Is this a new controversy or part of a longer pattern?
This row is part of a recurring pattern of BJP-Congress clashes over religious and cultural symbolism, particularly around Hindu festivals. The BJP has repeatedly accused the Congress of practising 'appeasement politics', while the Congress has generally maintained it respects all religions equally.
