VHP slams Kharge over 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' Diwali remark, demands apology
Synopsis
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's decision to describe Diwali as 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' while extending festive greetings has triggered a full-scale political row, with the VHP demanding a public apology and accusing Congress of a 'grave insult' to the Hindu community — the latest in a recurring pattern of festive-season political flashpoints.
Key Takeaways
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' while extending festive greetings on Sunday, 8 November .
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called the remark 'deeply shameful and unfortunate' and demanded a public apology.
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal alleged the remark exposed the 'anti-India and anti-culture face' of Congress .
Bansal also alleged that the INDI Alliance was 'actively working to dismantle Sanatan' and cited incidents involving the Ramcharitmanas .
Congress had not issued a formal response to the VHP's apology demand as of 9 November .
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday, 9 November launched a sharp attack on Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge after he described Diwali as the 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' while extending festive greetings, calling the remark 'deeply shameful and unfortunate' and demanding a public apology from the Congress chief.
What Kharge Said
Extending Diwali wishes to the nation on Sunday, Kharge — in his capacity as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president — told reporters that the festival of lights was a celebration of happiness and termed it a 'Khushiyon Ki Eid.' He also described Deepawali as a festival of peace, harmony, and national brotherhood, emphasising that celebrations across communities serve to bring people together.
The remark quickly triggered a political storm, spreading widely on social media and drawing condemnation from right-wing organisations.
VHP's Reaction
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said it was 'incomprehensible' why what he called the 'Muslim face' of Congress kept resurfacing repeatedly. He alleged that the party's leaders showed little enthusiasm for Hindu festivals while readily participating in those of other communities.
'They seem unable to even notice Hindu festivals. They feel no pride in Hindu festivals, nor do they ever consider celebrating them. They readily wear a skullcap for Eid, yet they are never seen participating in any public event for Diwali. On the contrary, by labelling Diwali as 'Eid,' they have committed a grave insult to the entire Hindu community,' Bansal said.
He added that Kharge's statement had once again 'exposed the anti-India and anti-culture face' of the Indian National Congress (Congress).
Broader Allegations Against Congress and INDI Alliance
Bansal escalated his criticism beyond the immediate remark, alleging that the Congress-led INDI Alliance was 'actively working to dismantle Sanatan.' He claimed that leaders within the alliance had burned copies of the Ramcharitmanas and cast aspersions on figures such as Goswami Tulsidas and various sacred scriptures.
'Their leaders consistently undermine Hindu faith and beliefs. In their pursuit of appeasement, they stoop so low that they even misidentify Diwali as 'Eid',' he said, adding that it appeared Congress' 'sense of Hindutva is dead' with 'not a single Hindu left within' the party — a claim Congress has not responded to as of the time of this report.
Demand for Apology and Political Fallout
Bansal demanded a formal apology from Kharge, saying that Diwali is 'the nation's greatest festival, celebrated in every corner of the globe,' and that Congress finding it 'unpalatable' was both shameful and unacceptable.
He warned that 'the public will certainly hold the Congress accountable' and that 'the Hindu community will not tolerate such things.' This comes amid a broader pattern of festive-season political controversies in recent years, where leaders' choice of words while extending inter-community greetings has repeatedly ignited disputes. Congress is yet to issue a formal response to the VHP's demand for an apology.
Point of View
Where any perceived blurring of Hindu festive identity is instantly weaponised, such phrasing hands opponents a ready-made controversy. The VHP's response follows a well-worn script, yet it is effective precisely because the underlying sentiment — that Hindu festivals deserve unambiguous celebration on their own terms — resonates with a wide constituency well beyond the VHP's base. Congress has yet to respond, and its silence risks letting the narrative calcify. The deeper problem is structural: when a party's vocabulary of inclusivity is consistently read as discomfort with majority identity, it signals a communication failure that no single apology can fix.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mallikarjun Kharge say about Diwali that caused controversy?
Kharge, while extending Diwali greetings on Sunday, described the festival as the 'Khushiyon Ki Eid' — a phrase meaning 'the Eid of joys.' He also called Diwali a celebration of peace, harmony, and national brotherhood, saying festivals of all communities bring people together.
Why did the VHP object to Kharge's remark?
The VHP argued that equating Diwali with Eid amounted to a 'grave insult' to the Hindu community. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal alleged it reflected Congress's broader pattern of indifference toward Hindu festivals and what he characterised as a focus on minority appeasement.
What has the VHP demanded from Congress?
The VHP has demanded a formal public apology from Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. Bansal warned that the Hindu community 'will not tolerate such things' and that the public would hold Congress accountable.
Has Congress responded to the VHP's demand for an apology?
As of 9 November, Congress had not issued a formal response to the VHP's apology demand. The party has not publicly clarified or walked back Kharge's remarks.
What is the broader political context of this controversy?
The row is the latest in a recurring pattern of festive-season political disputes in India, where leaders' choice of words while extending inter-community greetings has frequently triggered accusations of communal bias. The VHP also used the occasion to reiterate broader allegations against the INDI Alliance over its stance on Hindu religious texts and figures.
