Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A remark by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during his Diwali interaction with the media has drawn criticism from the BJP in Goa, with party vice president Narendra Sawaikar questioning the comparison of the Hindu festival with Eid.
Reacting to Kharge’s festive greeting, Sawaikar said Diwali had a distinct religious and cultural significance and should not be described in terms associated with another festival.
He pointed out that Diwali is traditionally associated with the return of Prabhu Shri Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. According to Sawaikar, the festival represents an important chapter in Hindu tradition and carries a significance that deserves recognition.
Taking strong exception to Kharge’s choice of words, Sawaikar alleged that the Congress was looking at the festival through the lens of appeasement politics. He also questioned whether the party could acknowledge Hindu religious traditions without bringing political considerations into the discussion.
Sawaikar maintained that different festivals have their own histories, customs and spiritual importance. He said any attempt to blur these distinctions could hurt the sentiments of religious communities.
The BJP leader called upon the Congress to apologise, alleging that Kharge’s remarks had offended Hindu sentiments. He reiterated that Diwali represents the triumph of light, faith and the Sanatan tradition.
The controversy followed Kharge’s interaction with reporters, during which he extended Diwali greetings and referred to the occasion as “khushiyon ka ek Eid”.
In his remarks, Kharge described Deepavali as a major festival celebrated across India and spoke of it as a celebration of happiness, using Eid as a comparison.
His choice of expression subsequently became a point of political contention, with Sawaikar and other BJP voices raising objections over the description of the festival.
