Political Row Erupts Over Congress Workers Portraying Rahul Gandhi as Lord Parshuram
NEW DELHI: A political controversy has emerged after Congress workers in Varanasi celebrated Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's birthday on Friday by depicting him as Lord Parshuram. The workers displayed an image of Gandhi holding an axe in one hand and a copy of the Constitution in the other, and performed a symbolic milk ablution on the portrait before immersing it in the Ganga river.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the Congress, accusing it of disrespecting Hindu faith and using religious symbols for political messaging. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, said in a post on X: "Congress comparing Rahul Gandhi to Bhagwan Parashuram is not just absurd, it is a profound insult to Hindu faith and tradition." He added that Lord Parshuram is a revered avatar of Lord Vishnu, symbolising courage and dharma, and equating him with a politician with a lack of accomplishments is an affront to millions of Hindus.
Another BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, mocked the event, suggesting Congress workers are dreaming of making Rahul Gandhi prime minister despite electoral setbacks. He said the Congress remembers Hindus only one day while practicing appeasement politics for the rest of the year. Shehzad Poonawalla, also a BJP spokesperson, alleged that insulting Hindu faith is the only identity of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, and that depicting him as an avatar of God shows disrespect.
The Congress responded to the criticism. Leader Kanhaiya Kumar noted that while some supporters projected Rahul Gandhi as figures like BR Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, and Lord Parshuram, he believes Gandhi should be recognised for his own political identity. He questioned whether the BJP holds a patent on Hindu deities, asking, "Does the BJP have a patent on Lord Parashuram or Lord Ram?"
The incident has sparked a debate on the use of religious imagery in political campaigns, with both parties trading accusations over the appropriation of faith for political gain.
