Patna, Oct 30 (UNI) Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Annapurna Devi today lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of insulting the sanctity of the Chhath Mahaparv, one of the most revered festivals of Bihar and Purvanchal and said his remarks have deeply hurt the sentiments of mothers and sisters across the region.
While talking to news persons here, the union Minister condemned Gandhi’s alleged description of the Chhath festival as a “drama.” She said, “Chhath is not a performance but an act of pure devotion. Women observe a 36-hour long fast without food or water for the well-being of their families. Calling such a pious festival a drama is an insult to the faith of millions.”
She said the statement shows Gandhi’s lack of understanding of Indian culture and traditions. She noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working to take the Chhath festival to the global stage, while Rahul Gandhi has chosen to demean it.
“At a time when the Prime Minister is giving international recognition to this sacred festival, calling it drama is shameful and unacceptable,” she added.
Taking a sharp dig at the Grand Alliance (GA), the BJP leader said that the opposition bloc “plays only vote-bank politics” and has no concern for people’s religious sentiments.
“It is surprising that not a single ally of Rahul Gandhi, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi or Tejashwi Yadav has condemned his remark, even though Rabri Devi herself observes the Chhath fast every year,” she said.
Referring to earlier remarks by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, another ally of the Congress, she said he had insulted Biharis by calling them a “disease,” yet the Grand Alliance remained silent even then.
“This silence exposes their character. For power, they can tolerate any insult to Bihar. But the people of Bihar, especially its mothers and sisters, will never forgive this,” she asserted.
Highlighting the contrast between the two political camps, the minister said that Prime Minister Modi’s government is committed to women’s empowerment, while the opposition alliance continues to disrespect them.
On Gandhi’s earlier remarks about “two Indias,” the minister reiterated, “India is one and will always remain one. It is not just a piece of land, it lives in the soul of every Indian. Rahul Gandhi perhaps does not understand this emotional connection.
