NEW DELHI: A heated political clash erupted between the BJP and AAP on Tuesday after BJP’s Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva accused AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of “insulting” Lord Ram and Sita by misquoting the Ramayan. Sachdeva began a fast as an act of absolution, escalating the political drama ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5.
Kejriwal, addressing the BJP’s accusations, claimed they were protesting in honor of demon king Ravan and labeled the party’s leaders as having “demonic tendencies.”
BJP’s allegations
Sachdeva, after visiting the Prachin Hanuman temple, criticized Kejriwal as a “Chunavi Hindu” (seasonal Hindu) who only invokes religious sentiments during elections. Referring to Kejriwal’s recent rally remarks, where he attributed Sita’s abduction to Ravan disguised as a golden deer, Sachdeva said, “It is regrettable that Chunavi Hindus like Arvind Kejriwal narrate inaccurate stories out of ignorance, hurting Hindu sentiments.”
BJP leaders clarified that in the Ramayan, it was ‘Marich,’ not Ravan, who appeared as the golden deer to distract Lord Ram, enabling Ravan to abduct Sita.
AAP hits back
Kejriwal dismissed the BJP’s claims, alleging they were defending Ravan. “They have so much love for Ravan; they must have demonic tendencies,” he said. He further warned the poor and slum dwellers in Delhi, “If they [BJP] come to power, they will devour you.”
Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader, took to social media to criticize the BJP, accusing them of justifying their “false narratives” by invoking Ravan.
Context of the clash
The war of words comes as both parties gear up for the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections. The BJP has frequently targeted Kejriwal over alleged disrespect for Hindu traditions, while AAP has countered with accusations of the BJP manipulating religious sentiments for political gains.
With voting just weeks away, the rhetoric between the two parties is likely to intensify, leaving the capital’s electorate caught in the crossfire of religious symbolism and political mudslinging.
