Kharge's 'Eid of happiness' Diwali remark draws BJP fire in Bihar
Synopsis
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's Diwali greeting — in which he called the festival the 'Eid of happiness' — has handed the BJP a fresh political flashpoint. BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi's sharp rebuke, invoking 110 crore Hindus and 'appeasement politics', signals the party intends to press the charge well beyond Bihar ahead of a charged electoral season.
Key Takeaways
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as the 'Eid of happiness' in his festive message, drawing immediate political fire.
BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi accused Kharge of hurting the faith of 110 crore Hindus and practising appeasement politics.
Saraogi alleged the remark was a 'very low-level conspiracy' and said the people of India 'will not tolerate this politics of appeasement'.
Kharge had also called for peace, removal of misunderstandings, and strengthening national unity in the same message.
The Congress had not issued a formal response or clarification as of the time of this report.
A Diwali greeting by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has triggered a political row, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi accusing the Congress of practising appeasement politics and hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. The controversy erupted on Monday, 9 November 2026, after Kharge described Diwali as the 'Eid of happiness' in his festive message to the nation.
What Kharge Said
Mallikarjun Kharge, in his Diwali message, called the festival one of India's most significant celebrations, noting it was observed collectively across communities. Describing it as a symbol of happiness, harmony, and goodwill, he said, 'Diwali is the Eid of happiness, an Eid that lasts for many days.' He also underscored the importance of maintaining peace, removing mutual misunderstandings, and strengthening national unity, adding that festivals provided an opportunity to bring people closer and promote social harmony and brotherhood.
BJP's Sharp Rebuttal
Sanjay Saraogi did not hold back in his response. He alleged that Kharge had insulted the faith of 110 crore Hindus by drawing the comparison. 'Blinded by the lure of vote-bank politics, the Congress has reached a point where it seeks to push its ugly appeasement politics even during this Sanatan festival, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The poison of hatred towards Hindus running through the veins of the Congress party is now openly reflected in the words of its leaders,' Saraogi said.
He further charged that linking Diwali with Eid was a 'very low-level conspiracy' by the Congress. 'By making such a statement about our auspicious festival, Diwali, Kharge is hurting the faith of 110 crore Hindus. The people of India will not tolerate this at any cost. Insulting Sanatan Dharma and our culture is not right, especially by connecting Diwali with Eid. If they have enough courage, they should connect Eid with Diwali as well. The people of this country will not tolerate this politics of appeasement,' he added.
Political Context and Significance
The row is the latest in a recurring pattern of festival-season political skirmishes between the BJP and the Congress, particularly over questions of religious messaging and community outreach. The BJP has consistently framed Congress attempts at cross-community goodwill as 'appeasement', while the Congress has defended such rhetoric as an appeal to national unity. Notably, Bihar — where Saraogi leads the state BJP — is a politically sensitive state with a complex caste and community arithmetic, making religious symbolism especially charged.
This comes amid an already heightened political atmosphere ahead of several state electoral cycles, in which both parties have sought to consolidate their respective voter bases through cultural and religious positioning.
Congress Position
The Congress has not issued a formal clarification or retraction of Kharge's remarks as of the time of this report. The party has historically defended such formulations as expressions of inclusive nationalism and communal harmony rather than political statements. Critics argue, however, that the choice of metaphor invites the very controversy it appears designed to avoid.
What Comes Next
The exchange is unlikely to remain confined to Bihar, with BJP leaders in other states expected to amplify the criticism. How the Congress responds — whether through clarification, silence, or counter-attack — will likely shape how the episode plays out in the broader national discourse heading into the festive political season.
Point of View
And the BJP's Bihar unit moved instantly to exploit it. The deeper question is whether the Congress has a coherent festival-season communications strategy, or whether its leaders are repeatedly gifting opponents easy talking points. With Bihar's complex electoral arithmetic never far from anyone's mind, the timing sharpened both the attack and its reach. What is often missed in the coverage is that Kharge's full message was a call for unity and peace — a context that tends to get buried once the outrage cycle begins.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mallikarjun Kharge say about Diwali that caused controversy?
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as the 'Eid of happiness' in his festive greeting, saying it was 'an Eid that lasts for many days.' He also called for peace, harmony, and national unity in the same message, but it was the Eid comparison that drew political criticism.
Why did the BJP object to Kharge's Diwali greeting?
BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi alleged that comparing Diwali to Eid was an act of appeasement politics that insulted the faith of 110 crore Hindus. The BJP framed the remark as evidence of what it described as the Congress party's hostility toward Sanatan Dharma and Hindu culture.
Who is Sanjay Saraogi?
Sanjay Saraogi is the President of the BJP's Bihar state unit. He made the remarks criticising Kharge's Diwali greeting on Monday, 9 November 2026, in Patna.
Has the Congress responded to the BJP's criticism?
As of the time of this report, the Congress had not issued a formal clarification or retraction of Kharge's remarks. The party has in the past defended such language as an appeal to communal harmony and inclusive nationalism.
Why does this controversy matter politically?
The row reflects a recurring pattern of festival-season political battles between the BJP and Congress over religious messaging. Bihar, where the criticism originated, is a politically sensitive state, and with electoral cycles approaching, both parties are actively competing to consolidate their voter bases through cultural and religious positioning.
