Congress President Kharge Criticizes BJP Leaders Over Religious Acts Amid Poverty Debate
In a fiery address at a rally in Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took aim at BJP leaders, particularly Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for their religious acts, questioning their sincerity in addressing the country’s poverty. His remarks came after Shah’s highly publicized dip in the Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh.
Kharge accused BJP leaders of competing for media attention by performing religious rituals like taking dips in the Ganga, and he questioned whether such acts could end poverty or improve the living conditions of the poor. He emphasized that while people are free to practice their faith, they should not ignore the suffering of the impoverished while indulging in religious displays for the cameras.
He further stated, “Is poverty ended by taking a dip in the Ganga? Does it fill your stomach?” He criticized the BJP for spending vast sums on religious acts while the nation’s children are dying of hunger, laborers are denied their dues, and the underprivileged remain ignored. While offering an apology to anyone who might feel hurt by his comments, he clarified that his remarks were not aimed at questioning anyone’s faith but at highlighting the exploitation of the poor in the name of religion.
Kharge also took a swipe at Shah’s remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, where Shah had made a controversial comment on Ambedkar’s work on the Constitution. Kharge expressed strong disapproval, describing the BJP’s disrespect towards Ambedkar and questioning their treatment of India’s foundational leaders.
“Modi and Shah have committed so many sins that they cannot go to heaven, even in 100 lifetimes,” Kharge said, responding to a statement made by Shah in Parliament, where he had mocked those who constantly invoke Ambedkar’s name. Kharge accused the BJP of trying to “wipe out” certain sections of society and emphasized the need for people to stand up and fight against such ideologies.
Kharge’s comments were made just hours after Shah took a ceremonial dip in the Triveni Sangam, a moment he shared with top seers and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which was widely covered by the media.
In response, the BJP condemned Kharge’s remarks, accusing him of mocking the religious sentiments of millions of people who revere the Maha Kumbh and consider the Ganga sacred. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra termed Kharge’s comments as “shameful” and claimed they had hurt “crores of people” who hold the Ganga in high esteem.
Patra also accused Kharge of attacking the core beliefs of the Sanatan faith and called for an apology from Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the hurtful remarks made by their party president. The political debate around religion, poverty, and the sincerity of public figures continues to intensify, with both parties accusing each other of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.
