Cong seeks Hindu votes, yet harbours such disdain: BJP slams Kharge over Maha Kumbh remark

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. File Pic

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday claimed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has insulted the sentiments of Hindus with his "insensitive" remarks on the BJP leaders taking holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj, reported news agency PTI.

The state revenue minister, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said the Congress has consistently disrespected the Hindu beliefs and traditions and "appeased" a particular community.

In Photos: Union Minister Amit Shah takes dip at Sangam in Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh 2025

2 days agoPHOTO GALLERY

Congress president Kharge on Monday claimed BJP leaders were competing with each other to take a dip at the Sangam for the cameras, and asked if their act would help eradicate poverty in the country, PTI stated.

Kharge was addressing the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally at the Mhow town of Madhya Pradesh, and also said, "If any one was hurt, I seek an apology," in the same vein.

The Congress president's remarks came on a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a holy dip at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

Bawankule in his post termed Kharge's comments as "insensitive and offensive".

"By mocking a sacred event like the Kumbh Mela, where millions of Hindus participate with devotion and faith, Kharge has insulted the sanctity of the Ganga and the sentiments of crores of Hindus," the BJP leader said.

Bawankule slammed Kharge over questioning whether bathing in the river Ganga would eliminate poverty.

"The statement is not only absurd but also deeply infuriating. Hindus have always shown tolerance, but who gave Kharge the right to mock their faith? Congress seeks Hindu votes, yet it harbours such disdain for Hindus. What wrong have Hindus done? Is it their mistake that they allowed Congress to govern this country for over six decades?" he asked in his post on X.

Bawankule also criticised the opposition Congress for its politics of "appeasement".

"The Congress has always pandered to a particular community while ridiculing the beliefs of the Hindu majority. Despite having 99 seats in the Lok Sabha, they fail to respect Hindu sentiments. If they cannot respect the people's faith, they should at least refrain from insulting it," he said.

"Today, they mock the Kumbh Mela. Tomorrow, if by any chance Congress comes to power, will they ban the Kumbh Mela altogether? This is the concern troubling Hindus across the country," the BJP leader said.

Bawankulealso added that the people of India would take cognisance of such behaviour and respond appropriately.

"If Congress continues to disrespect Hindu traditions, the country's discerning electorate will decide how to deal with them," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)