Kejriwal extends Vijayadashami greetings, invokes dharma over evil

Key Takeaways

Arvind Kejriwal , AAP national convenor, extended Vijayadashami greetings to all citizens on 20 October 2026 .

He conveyed the festival's core message: no matter how powerful evil becomes, dharma's victory is certain with God's grace.

He closed with the Ramayana invocation 'सियावर रामचंद्र की जय' — 'Victory to Lord Ramachandra, consort of Sita.' Vijayadashami (Dussehra) commemorates Lord Rama's defeat of the demon king Ravana , one of Hinduism's most widely observed festivals.

Indian political leaders across parties routinely use the occasion to emphasise themes of righteousness prevailing over wrongdoing.

The timeless message of Vijayadashami — that righteousness ultimately prevails over even the mightiest evil — rang out on Tuesday morning as AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal extended warm festival wishes to the nation.

Posting in Hindi on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, Kejriwal wrote: 'सभी देशवासियों को विजयादशमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ' — 'Heartfelt Vijayadashami greetings to all fellow citizens.' He went on to invoke the festival's central teaching: that however large and powerful evil may grow, and however arduous the path of justice may seem, the grace of God ensures that dharma's victory over evil is inevitable. He closed with the invocation 'सियावर रामचंद्र की जय' — 'Victory to Lord Ramachandra, consort of Sita.' Vijayadashami, also widely known as Dussehra, commemorates the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana as narrated in the Ramayana. Celebrated on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashvin, it is one of Hinduism's most widely observed festivals, marked across India with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna — a ritual re-enactment of the defeat of arrogance and wrongdoing. The themes Kejriwal chose — the persistence of dharma against seemingly invincible adversity — carry resonance beyond ritual. Indian political leaders across the spectrum routinely frame Vijayadashami messages around the dharma-versus-evil binary, a formulation that speaks equally to the devout and to those seeking moral anchoring in public life.

Point of View

Broadly legible signal that transcends party lines. For Kejriwal, invoking Lord Rama's victory at a moment when AAP is navigating a complex political landscape lends the message a layered quality, even if no explicit policy link is drawn. Across Indian democracy, festival messaging has become a studied exercise in connecting a leader's public persona to shared civilisational values. The choice of a Ramayana invocation over a more generic secular greeting is itself a quiet statement of register.

NationPress

20 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Arvind Kejriwal say on Vijayadashami 2026?

Kejriwal extended heartfelt greetings to all citizens and conveyed that, however powerful evil may become, dharma is certain to prevail with God's grace, closing with the invocation 'Siyavar Ramachandra ki jai.'

What is Vijayadashami and why is it celebrated?

Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra, is a major Hindu festival marking Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana as described in the Ramayana. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated across India with the burning of effigies of Ravana.

Why do Indian politicians post messages on Vijayadashami?

Vijayadashami is one of India's most widely observed festivals and the dharma-versus-evil theme resonates across communities. Politicians use the occasion to connect with citizens through shared cultural and moral values.

What does 'Siyavar Ramachandra ki jai' mean?

The phrase means 'Victory to Lord Ramachandra, consort of Sita.' It is a traditional Hindu invocation praising Lord Rama, the central deity whose triumph is commemorated on Vijayadashami.

What party does Arvind Kejriwal lead?

Arvind Kejriwal is the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a former Chief Minister of Delhi.