The absence of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his INDIA bloc ally Uddhav Thackeray from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh has triggered sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who have accused them of hypocrisy regarding their stance on Hindutva. The Maha Kumbh, considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, takes place once every 12 years, and this year saw over 66 crore devotees participating in the event, which concluded on February 26 in Prayagraj. BJP leaders have questioned why Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray, who claim to represent Hindu interests, did not attend such a significant religious event.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was among the first to attack the two leaders, highlighting what he described as a stark contrast between their statements and actions. “They call themselves Hindutvavadis, but they didn't go to Kumbh. There is a difference between their words and actions. More than 66 crore people went there, but they didn’t,” he remarked, implying that their absence raised doubts about their commitment to Hindu traditions.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also targeted Uddhav Thackeray in particular, criticizing his alliance with the Congress party, which has historically been critical of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. Singh accused Thackeray of betraying his ideological roots by aligning himself with the Congress, a party that has been vocal in its opposition to Savarkar’s views. He described Thackeray as a "misguided" politician who has strayed from the core values of Hindutva in favor of political convenience.
Adding to the criticism, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale took an even more aggressive stance, asserting that the two leaders had insulted the Hindu community by staying away from the Maha Kumbh. He went as far as urging Hindu voters to “boycott” them, arguing that their absence from such a grand religious event was proof of their disregard for Hindu sentiments. "Being a Hindu and not attending the Maha Kumbh is an insult to Hindus, and Hindus must boycott them. They always seek Hindu votes, yet they skipped this sacred event," Athawale stated, reinforcing the BJP’s broader narrative that the opposition leaders were selectively engaging with religious issues for political gain.
Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Maha Kumbh follows a similar pattern seen last year when the Gandhi family chose not to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. At the time, their decision was widely criticized by the BJP, which accused the Congress of being indifferent to Hindu beliefs. This latest controversy has reignited the debate over the Congress party’s stance on religious affairs, with the BJP using it as an opportunity to question the sincerity of Gandhi’s political outreach.
In response to the criticism, the Congress has dismissed the BJP’s remarks as politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from real issues. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai defended Rahul Gandhi, stating that he attended the Kumbh on behalf of the Gandhi family and took a ritualistic dip in the holy waters. "The festival of faith is now over. Now, there should be no politics over it. I personally went to the Kumbh and took a dip on behalf of the Gandhi family. Kumbh should not be linked to politics," Rai stated, attempting to downplay the controversy.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also hit back at BJP leaders, accusing them of engaging in theatrics rather than focusing on governance. "These people pretend to roam around with the Constitution, but all they do is crack jokes and make gimmicks. Instead of discussing real issues affecting people, they are trying to create unnecessary controversies over religion," Sapkal remarked, countering the BJP’s narrative.
The war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) underscores the increasing politicization of religious events in India. While the BJP has positioned itself as the defender of Hindu interests, the opposition has attempted to push back against what they see as an attempt to monopolize religious discourse for electoral gains. With elections around the corner, such debates are expected to intensify as both sides seek to consolidate their voter base and appeal to public sentiment.
