The Bharatiya Janata Party renewed attacks against Rahul Gandhi on Saturday by circulating footage from the previous year where he allegedly characterized Chhath Puja as drama. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari argued that Gandhi consistently disrespects Hindu sentiments and noted that a full year elapsed without any retraction. Bhandari challenged the Congress leader to issue an official video apology directly to Hindu worshippers and the people of Bihar. The exchange occurred alongside separate accusations from Raj Thackeray, who warned that social media campaigns around the festival are fueling cultural aggression in Maharashtra.
Key points
The political row between the BJP and Congress over religious sentiment reignited during…: The political row between the BJP and Congress over religious sentiment reignited during the second day of the festival.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray separately accused the ruling party of dep…: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray separately accused the ruling party of deploying a divide and rule strategy around the celebrations.
Regional tensions surfaced over the festival as Thackeray raised objections to what he de…: Regional tensions surfaced over the festival as Thackeray raised objections to what he described as cultural aggression in Maharashtra.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Pradeep Bhandari targets Rahul Gandhi over year-old remarks on PM Modi, Chhath Puja
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his past remarks on Chhath Puja, accusing him of disrespecting Hindu sentiments and demanding a public apology.The attack came on the second day of the Chhath Puja festival, with BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari leading the criticism by sharing a video of Rahul's remarks from last year's celebrations.In a post on X, Bhandari said, "Nation is bowing down and praying to Chhathi Maiyya and is celebrating the festival of Chhath Puja! It was exactly a year ago during Chhath Puja in 2025 , that Rahul Gandhi called "Chhath Puja" a Drama!"
Questioning the Congress's respect for Hindu sentiments, Bhandari asked, "If Congress party respects Hindu sentiments & People of Bihar."He further demanded that Rahul issue a public apology for his remarks, saying, "Will Rahul Gandhi who makes video on everything under the sun, Make a public video Apologising for his remarks calling "Chhath Puja" a Drama? It has been a Year and there…
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