Politics · India · 7 hrs ago
BJP criticises Kharge for describing Diwali as ‘Eid of joy’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described Diwali as “khushiyon ka Eid” while giving festival greetings over the weekend.
Kharge said Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India.
BJP leaders criticised his choice of words, saying it changed the identity of a Hindu festival for political reasons.
They challenged Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to call Eid “Diwali of joy.”
BJP leaders also accused Congress of appeasement politics, while one alleged Kharge was a mouthpiece for the Gandhi family.
The dispute is over how political leaders refer to religious festivals and what their wording signals about respect and politics.
The available accounts do not say whether Kharge or Gandhi responded to the criticism.
BJP leaders criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as “khushiyon ka Eid” (Eid of joy).
Union minister Giriraj Singh accused Kharge of appeasement politics and trying to divide Hindus while pandering to Muslims.
Kharge had described Diwali as a major festival celebrated by everyone in India while extending greetings over the weekend.
BJP spokespersons challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to describe Eid as the “Diwali of joy” and said Hindu festivals should retain their own names and identities.
- Who
- BJP leaders, including Union minister Giriraj Singh, criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
- What
- They objected to his description of Diwali as “khushiyon ka Eid” and accused Congress of appeasement politics.
- When
- Kharge made the remark over the weekend; BJP leaders criticised him on Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The criticism was reported in India. Kharge’s remarks were made to reporters; the location is not stated.
- Why
- BJP leaders said the description changed the identity of a Hindu festival. Singh accused Kharge of appeasement and trying to divide Hindus while pandering to Muslims.
BJP leaders
Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress
Aspect
BJP leaders
BJP leaders’ view
Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress
Kharge’s stated view
Description of Diwali
BJP leaders
Diwali should be called by its own name, and describing it as “khushiyon ka Eid” changes the identity of a Hindu festival.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress
Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India; he described it as “khushiyon ka Eid.
Political meaning
BJP leaders
Singh accused Kharge of appeasement politics and trying to divide Hindus while pandering to Muslims.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress
Kharge’s reported remarks did not address the BJP’s accusations.
Kharge extended Diwali greetings and described the festival as “khushiyon ka Eid.
BJP leaders, including Giriraj Singh, criticised Kharge’s description of Diwali.
- Kharge’s position
- Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone in India
- Phrase at issue
- khushiyon ka Eid
- Giriraj Singh’s role
- Union minister
- Date of BJP criticism
- November 9, 2026
- BJP challenge
- Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were asked whether they would call Eid the “Diwali of joy.
3 sources
What people are saying
He is merely a 'loudspeaker'—a mouthpiece—for Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family.
Kharge-sahab, your true colours have been exposed.
khushiyon ka Eid
Mr Kharge, what exactly is the problem with calling Deepavali, the biggest festival of Hindus, by its own name?
Posts on X
दीवाली को “खुशियों की ईद” बता रहे हैं कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष मल्लिकार्जुन खड़गे! खड़गे जी, हिंदुओं के सबसे बड़े पर्व दीपावली को उसके अपने नाम से पुकारने में आखिर क्या परेशानी है? ईद का अपना महत्व है, दीपावली की अपनी पवित्रता, परंपरा और पहचान। क्या कांग्रेस की तथाकथित धर्मनिरपेक्षता