Panaji: BJP Goa Vice President Narendra Sawaikar on Monday accused the Congress of hurting Hindu sentiments through its remarks on Diwali, alleging that the Opposition party was mixing the festival with “appeasement and vote-bank politics”.
In a statement posted on social media, Sawaikar said the controversy was not a “slip of the tongue” but reflected the mindset of the Congress.
“Diwali is not Eid. Diwali is the festival of Prabhu Shri Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile,” he said.
Accusing the Congress of deliberately distorting the identity and significance of Hindu festivals, Sawaikar questioned whether the party could respect Hindu faith without mixing it with appeasement politics.
“To deliberately distort it is an insult to the faith of crores of Hindus,” he said, demanding an apology from the Congress for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
“Diwali is Diwali. It is the festival of lights, of pride, of our Sanatan identity,” the BJP leader added.
Sawaikar’s remarks came amid a controversy over alleged remarks by a Congress leader linking Diwali with Eid.
