Kota BJP leader calls comparison of Diwali with Eid 'shameful', demands apology from Kharge

BJP leader Dilawar Singh in Kota, Rajasthan, publicly denounced a recent statement that equated the Hindu festival of Diwali with the Muslim festival of Eid. He argued that Diwali celebrates non‑violence and charity, whereas Eid involves the ritual slaughter of animals, and said that drawing a parallel disrespects both the festival and the nation. Dilawar demanded that the individual identified as Kharge issue an immediate apology for the comparison. He also used the platform to criticize Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi, suggesting that any lingering Hindutva sentiment within the party should be reconsidered. The remarks were made during a local political gathering and have sparked reactions on social media, with supporters praising the stance and opponents calling for restraint.

The BJP spokesperson later reiterated the party’s position that religious festivals should be respected in their distinct cultural contexts and warned that politicising such symbols could inflame communal sensitivities. No official response from the Congress or from the person named Kharge has been recorded as of now.

The episode underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding religious symbolism in Indian politics, especially in the run‑up to major festive seasons.