Kharge’s Comments on Ganga Dip Spark Political Row; BJP Accuses Congress of Anti-Sanatan Ideology

Anti-Sanatan Row: In a statement that has ignited a fresh political controversy, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday questioned whether poverty, hunger, and other pressing issues could be resolved simply by taking a dip in the Ganga. Speaking at the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally in Madhya Pradesh, Kharge’s remarks came just hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, taking a ceremonial dip at the Triveni Sangam.

Kharge stated that he had no intention to question anyone’s faith but the misplaced priorities of the ruling BJP. “Is poverty eradicated by taking a dip in the Ganga? Does it fill the stomach of the hungry or send children to school? Laborers are struggling to get their dues, yet these people spend thousands of rupees competing for such symbolic acts,” he said.

The Congress leader further reached out with an apology for the people, if any hurt by his speech. “I do not want to hurt anyone’s ‘aastha’. If my words caused any kind of discomfort then I apologize,” he said further.

BJP Strikes Back

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vociferously opposed Kharge’s statement. It accused Congress of having a “anti-sanatan ideology”. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized Kharge. “Why is the Congress afraid of Hindus so much? Kumbh mela comes after 144 years and yet Congress leadership ridicules. This anti-hindu mentality makes Congress go toward extinction,” stated Malviya.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the Congress for its repeated attacks on Hindu traditions. “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress should explain their disdain for ‘Sanatan Dharma.’ Earlier, Kharge vowed to end Sanatan practices if Congress came to power. Such remarks are unacceptable. Rahul Gandhi can take a dip in Italy if he wants, but insulting Maa Ganga is deeply offensive,” Patra said.

The Maha Kumbh and Political Symbolism

The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is a mega spiritual and cultural festival that attracted millions of devotees and the most prominent leaders in the country. On Monday, Amit Shah was seen taking a holy dip at Triveni Sangam along with the prominent seers while Yogi Adityanath took the dip separately. Shah also met the spiritual leaders, including Acharya Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, aboard a floating jetty cottage.

It added to the Congress-BJP spat the political dimension to otherwise deep religious occasion: the question that BJP has framed Kharge’s remarks as has been attacked as an attack on Hindu faith, while Congress maintains that Kharge was merely questioning BJP’s priorities in addressing what are said to be core issues of poverty and hunger.

Such debates will only increase in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, as both parties attempt to influence voters with narratives that appeal to their core constituencies.