Rijiju slams Congress over 'dividing Hindu Gods' claim
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A sharp accusation from the corridors of power: Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, fired a pointed broadside at the Indian National Congress, charging the opposition party with attempting to sow division among Hindu deities — a claim that immediately ignited political debate online.
Rijiju posted the rebuke in unambiguous terms: 'Extremely Atrocious!!' — describing the alleged conduct as beyond the pale. 'Now, Congress party has started to divide Hindu Gods,' he wrote, framing the charge as a new and dangerous escalation in what he characterised as the party's approach to religious discourse.
A familiar battlefield, a sharper charge
The accusation slots into a well-worn pattern in Indian politics. BJP leaders and Congress have long traded accusations over the handling — and perceived mishandling — of religious sentiment. What makes Rijiju's post notable is the specificity and ferocity of the language: not merely politicising religion, but 'dividing' the gods themselves.
The minister shared an image alongside the post, though the precise visual content could not be independently verified at the time of publication. Congress had not issued a formal public response to the charge as of the time of posting.
Rijiju's standing and the weight behind the words
Kiren Rijiju is one of the BJP's most prominent faces from the Northeast. As Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, he manages the government's legislative business in both Houses and wields considerable institutional authority. His Minority Affairs portfolio adds another dimension: criticism of Congress on religious lines coming from a minister specifically charged with inter-community harmony carries a pointed irony that his political opponents will not miss.
In Indian politics, charges of 'dividing' religious communities or figures have historically served as rallying cries ahead of elections and during high-stakes legislative sessions. Whether this post signals a coordinated BJP messaging push — or is a standalone reaction to a specific Congress statement — remains to be clarified by the party's broader communications in the hours ahead.
Congress's next move will be watched closely: a sharp rebuttal, silence, or clarification will each carry its own political weight.