Panaji, Nov 9 (PTI) The BJP’s Goa unit on Monday lashed out at the Congress, accusing it of hurting Hindu sentiments and indulging in “appeasement politics” over party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks describing Diwali as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’.
In a statement posted on social media, BJP Goa vice-president Narendra Sawaikar demanded an apology from the opposition party, asserting that Diwali is a festival celebrating Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya and cannot be conflated with Eid.
Extending his Diwali greetings over the weekend, Kharge told reporters that Diwali is a major festival celebrated by everyone across India, describing it as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’.
Reacting to the remarks, Sawaikar asserted that the controversy was not a “slip of the tongue”, but reflected the mindset of the opposition party.
“Diwali is not Eid. Diwali is the festival of Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile,” he said.
The BJP leader accused the Congress of deliberately distorting the identity and significance of Hindu festivals, and asked whether the party could respect Hindu faith without mixing it with appeasement politics.
“To deliberately distort it is an insult to the faith of crores of Hindus,” he said, demanding that the Congress apologise for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
“Diwali is Diwali. It is the festival of lights, of pride, of our Sanatan identity,” Sawaiker added. PTI RPS ARU
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