When a Diwali greeting becomes a political flashpoint

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s description of Diwali as “Khushiyon ki Eid” (Eid of happiness) raises an uncomfortable question- Was invoking another religion’s festival really necessary while greeting people on one of Hinduism’s most significant occasions? Even if intended to promote communal harmony, the comparison was avoidable and politically consequential.

Diwali has its own religious significance, traditions and cultural identity; Eid has its own. Harmony does not require one festival to be explained through another. Coming from an experienced national political leader, the choice of words was bound to invite scrutiny, particularly in an already polarised political environment. Whether deliberate or simply ill-judged, the comparison has provided political opponents an opportunity to question Congress’s approach to religious sensitivities.

The BJP seized the moment, accusing Kharge of appeasement and vote-bank politics, while Congress defended the remark as an expression of inclusiveness. The larger lesson is clear: genuine communal harmony demands respect for every faith without unnecessary comparisons that risk turning festive greetings into religious controversy. Politically, the episode exposes competing interpretations of secularism: shared cultural language versus recognition of distinct religious traditions. With Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 elections approaching, the controversy also offers parties an opportunity to consolidate voter constituencies.