Sun Mar 02 14:16:42 UTC 2025: ## BJP Accuses Congress Leaders of Anti-Hindu Sentiment, Sparks Political Row
**NEW DELHI** – A fresh political battle has erupted between the BJP and Congress, centering on accusations of anti-Hindu sentiment. The BJP has launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, citing their absence from the Maha Kumbh and the Ram Temple inauguration as evidence of their alleged indifference to Hinduism.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari went so far as to claim that Rahul Gandhi’s entire family is anti-Hindu, highlighting their visits to the Babri Masjid while neglecting the Ram Temple. The party released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) emphasizing Rahul Gandhi’s failure to attend the Ram Temple’s Pran Pratishtha ceremony despite receiving an invitation, further fueling the accusations.
However, Congress responded swiftly. Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, countered the BJP’s claims on X, pointing out that a significant number of BJP Union Ministers, MLAs, and even party allies, such as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, had also not attended the Maha Kumbh. He sarcastically suggested that by the BJP’s logic, these individuals should also be labeled as anti-Hindu.
The BJP’s attack comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Somnath temple in Gujarat, adding further fuel to the already heated religious rhetoric. The controversy underscores the ongoing tension between the two major political parties in India, particularly on issues of religion and religious identity.
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