Nitish Kumar Extends Vijayadashami Greetings, Urges Peace
Synopsis
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar greeted citizens on Vijayadashami, describing the festival as a symbol of truth's victory over falsehood and calling for celebrations marked by goodwill, brotherhood, and peace across Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Former Bihar CM and JDU national president Nitish Kumar extended Vijayadashami greetings on 20 October 2026 .
He described the festival as vijay parv — a victory festival symbolising truth's triumph over falsehood.
Kumar highlighted themes of inner strength ( aatmik bal ) and self-restraint as the festival's deeper values.
He called on citizens to celebrate with goodwill, brotherhood, and peace .
The message follows his long-standing practice of using festival occasions to reinforce communal harmony in Bihar's diverse society.
On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended warm greetings to the people, calling the festival a symbol of truth's triumph over falsehood and urging celebrations rooted in harmony and peace.
Writing in Hindi on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the Janata Dal (United) national president described Vijayadashami as 'vijay parv' — a festival of victory — and emphasised its deeper meaning as a source of restraint and inner strength in everyday life. 'Celebrate this festival with goodwill, brotherhood, and in a peaceful manner with joy,' he wrote.
Dussehra's message in Bihar's diverse landscape
Vijayadashami, widely observed across India as Dussehra, marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana and is celebrated with the symbolic burning of effigies. For Bihar — a state with a complex social fabric of communities and faiths — political leaders have long used the occasion to reinforce calls for communal harmony.
Nitish Kumar has maintained this practice consistently across his multiple terms in office, deploying festival messages to signal a commitment to peaceful coexistence in the state. His phrasing today — 'sadbhav, bhaichare evam shantipoorn tarike se' (with goodwill, brotherhood, and in a peaceful manner) — follows that established register.
A ritual of public visibility, with intent
Indian political leaders routinely mark major festivals on social media, but the choice of language matters. By anchoring the greeting not just in religious sentiment but in the values of truth, self-discipline, and communal peace, Kumar signals the tone he expects Dussehra processions and immersions across Bihar's districts to take this year.
The festival's emphasis on inner strength — what Kumar calls 'aatmik bal' — resonates in a state where large public gatherings around Dussehra can serve as both a celebration and a test of public order. The message is warm, but its subtext is clear: festivity and responsibility go together.
As effigies light up the evening skies across Patna and Bihar's towns, the former Chief Minister's appeal for joyful but peaceful celebrations sets the civic expectation for the day.
Point of View
A state where festival processions have historically tested communal equilibrium. Over multiple terms, Kumar has built a political identity around stable, inclusive administration, and this greeting reinforces that brand. The message may be ceremonial in form, but in Bihar's political context, peace appeals on Dussehra carry operational weight.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Nitish Kumar say on Vijayadashami 2026?
Nitish Kumar extended greetings calling Vijayadashami a festival of victory representing truth's triumph over falsehood, and urged people to celebrate with goodwill, brotherhood, and peace.
What is Vijayadashami and why is it celebrated?
Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is a Hindu festival marking the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolising the triumph of truth and good over evil and falsehood.
What party does Nitish Kumar lead?
Nitish Kumar is the national president of Janata Dal (United), commonly known as JDU, and is a long-serving former Chief Minister of Bihar.
Why do Indian politicians post festival greetings on social media?
Indian political leaders routinely post festival greetings to maintain public visibility, reinforce cultural connections with constituents, and — in the case of communally sensitive festivals — send signals about expected public conduct and harmony.
How is Dussehra celebrated in Bihar?
In Bihar, Dussehra is celebrated with Ramlila performances, the symbolic burning of effigies of Ravana, and public processions, with large gatherings held in Patna and other district towns.
