During the election campaign, Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), attempted to appeal to Hindu voters while also maintaining his support among pro-Islamic and Sikh communities. However, he recently made a controversial remark by quoting the Ramayana at a rally where he misrepresented the role of King Ravana in the abduction of Maa Sita. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Kejriwal for distorting the Hindu epic, accusing him of being a ‘Chunavi Hindu’ (a Hindu only during elections) and twisting the narrative of the Ramayana. The BJP also claimed that Kejriwal’s statement insulted Hindu Dharma. In response, Kejriwal retaliated by accusing the BJP of being descendants of Ravana and warned the people of Delhi to be cautious of them.
AAP’s Republic day float
This year, the Delhi tableau highlighted the city’s strides in areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, showcasing the government’s initiatives such as the Mohalla Clinics, improved public education system, and modernized infrastructure. The design of the float included symbolic representations of these services, emphasizing the AAP’s focus on governance and public welfare.
However, what drew attention was the political and cultural themes. Unlike previous years, where the floats often incorporated religious and cultural symbols representing Delhi’s diverse heritage, this year’s float had less emphasis on religious or Hindu cultural representation. This shift led to significant backlash, especially from Hindu groups who felt sidelined in favor of promoting secular values and showcasing achievements linked primarily to AAP’s governance.
Exclusion of Hindu cultural representation
The absence of a Hindu Dharma-focused tableau this year drew criticism, particularly from sections of the population who felt that the Hindu culture and traditions were not adequately represented on such a significant national platform. This became a flashpoint for the ongoing debates about how minority appeasement and secularism are shaping the political landscape in Delhi.
Many saw this as part of a larger narrative that the AAP government has been promoting, which some critics believe prioritizes the appeasement of Islamic and Sikh communities over Hindu representation. The lack of Hindu cultural symbols in the tableau was viewed as a reflection of this broader political strategy, particularly as Delhi heads into elections.
BJP slams Kejriwal as ‘Chunavi Hindu’
The BJP has taken a sharp dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, branding him a chunavi Hindu—a Hindu only for electoral gains—after his latest announcement of financial benefits for temple priests and gurdwara granthis. The move, coming ahead of the assembly elections, has been widely criticized as mere political posturing to appease Hindus while maintaining his appeasement policies for Islamists and Sikhs.
BJP mocks Kejriwal with Bhool Bhulaiyaa-inspired poster
The Delhi BJP took to the social media platform X to lampoon Kejriwal’s newfound Hindu concerns, unveiling a satirical poster depicting him in a theatrical priest-like getup reminiscent of Rajpal Yadav’s character in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The edited image shows Kejriwal draped in rudraksha beads, flower garlands, and smeared in vermilion, with incense sticks comically tucked behind his ears—highlighting what the BJP calls his desperate attempt to appear pro-Hindu during election season.
The poster carried a stinging verse aimed at Kejriwal:
“Mandir jana hai bas mere liye ek chalaava, Pujariyon ka samman bas mera chunavi dikhava, Sanatan dharma ka maine humesha mazak banaya.” (Visiting temples is just a show for me, respect for priests is my election drama, I have always mocked Sanatan Dharma.)
The BJP accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, pointing out that for over a decade, his government has been providing salaries to imams while disregarding Hindu purohiths. Additionally, the party slammed him for opposing the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and opening liquor shops near temples and gurdwaras, calling his sudden concern for Hindu purohiths nothing more than an election stunt.
AAP hits back, BJP calls out its double standards
In response, the AAP retaliated with a counter-poster, challenging the BJP to implement similar schemes in states under its governance. Kejriwal lashed out on social media, claiming, “You have been in power in Gujarat for 30 years and rule 20 states. Why haven’t you done this for pujaris and granthis yet? Instead of abusing me, implement this scheme across the country.”
However, BJP leaders were quick to highlight that Kejriwal’s scheme is just another ploy to gain Hindu votes while continuing his pro-Islamist and pro-Khalistani appeasement tactics. Despite posturing as a champion of Hindus, Kejriwal’s track record tells a different story—his government has persistently funded imams but ignored Hindu religious figures until it became politically necessary.
Election gimmick: Kejriwal’s hollow support for Hindu pujaris
At a press conference, Kejriwal unveiled the Pujari Granthi Samman Rashi Scheme, which promises temple priests and gurdwara granthis a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000. He touted it as the first scheme of its kind, claiming it aimed to support religious workers who are often ignored.
However, people argue that this is just another move to mislead Hindus while solidifying his vote bank among minorities. Despite AAP’s attempts to showcase Kejriwal as a pro-Hindu leader, his selective policies—favoring only certain communities while systematically sidelining Hindus—have become glaringly evident.
The BJP has made it clear that Kejriwal’s sudden temple visits and his dramatic announcements are nothing more than a charade—an opportunistic ploy to deceive Hindu voters before elections while he continues to cater to Islamists and Sikh separatist elements in Delhi.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on January 28 accused Arvind Kejriwal of building a lavish’sheeshmahal’ for himself and being involved in the largest liquor scam in the country’s history. Speaking at a rally in Patparganj, Gandhi criticized Kejriwal for his absence during the 2020 communal riots and for failing to support the poor when needed. He also mocked Kejriwal’s claim of clean politics, highlighting the disparity between his promises and actions.
Kejriwal responded by questioning Gandhi’s silence on the Prime Minister’s ‘rajmahal’ and pointed out that Gandhi’s remarks mirrored BJP criticisms. Gandhi also intensified his attack on senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, accusing him of being the architect of the liquor scam.
Meanwhile, within the INDI alliance, Congress is becoming increasingly isolated, as leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and TMC MPs have pledged to campaign for AAP in the Delhi elections. Despite this growing support for AAP, the alliance’s continued focus on minority appeasement remains the same. Despite the alliance clashes and internal debates, ultimately, Hindus are being neglected, while minorities are being supported by all means for vote bank politics.
