Wed Oct 30 10:59:46 UTC 2024: ## Diwali 2024: Rangoli Designs Light Up Homes and Spark Political Debate

Diwali, the festival of lights, is upon us and celebrations are in full swing. One of the most popular traditions is creating beautiful rangoli designs on the doorstep. Rangoli, meaning “rows of colors,” is a centuries-old practice, said to date back to the time Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. The joyous occasion was marked by citizens decorating their homes with elaborate rangoli designs.

This year, rangoli designs are taking center stage, with numerous options for everyone, from simple to elaborate, traditional to modern. From designs featuring peacocks and lotuses to intricate swastikas, there’s a rangoli design for every taste. Traditional materials like rice flour and turmeric are still used, providing sustenance for birds.

However, the festive spirit is not without a tinge of political debate this year. The phrase “बटेंगे तो कटेंगे” (roughly translated as “divide and they will fall”) has sparked a heated exchange between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh. The SP has countered the slogan with “न बटेंगे न कटेंगे” (we will not divide, we will not fall), triggering a debate over the meaning of the term “P.D.A” ( पिछड़ा, दलित, अल्पसंख्यक), which the SP claims signifies their support from backward, dalit, and minority communities. The BJP, however, interprets P.D.A. as “Family Development Authority.”

This Diwali, while the beauty of rangoli designs will adorn homes, political discourse is adding another layer to the festive spirit.

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