Campaigning for the Bihar elections took a sharp cultural turn on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party intensified their attack on the opposition Mahagathbandhan, accusing the RJD-Congress alliance of belittling Hindu traditions.
The BJP drew a contrast between the opposition’s Halloween celebrations and Bihar’s traditional Chhath festivities, calling the opposition “anti-Hindu”.
The row began after visuals emerged of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav celebrating Halloween with his grandchildren.
BJP leaders cited Yadav’s past remarks on Hindu festivals, questioning the Mahagathbandhan’s respect for cultural values.
The party’s leaders accused the opposition of promoting Western customs over traditional beliefs.
Modi and Shah escalate cultural confrontation
Addressing back-to-back rallies, Modi claimed the opposition “does not value Hindu sentiments” and accused them of attacking India’s cultural fabric.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the sentiment, linking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments on Chhath celebrations in Delhi to “insulting Chhathi Maiya”.
With Chhath holding deep emotional and cultural significance in Bihar, Modi and the BJP are seeking to turn the festival narrative into a decisive electoral plank, framing the Mahagathbandhan as disconnected from local traditions and religious identity.
