Political debate erupts over Diwali greetings; Priyank Kharge comes to the defense
Bengaluru. A political controversy has arisen over Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement calling Diwali as ‘Eid of Happiness’. A heated debate has erupted in political circles regarding his statement. Meanwhile, Karnataka government minister and son of Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank Kharge has defended his father’s statement. He said the term ‘Eid of Happiness’ is commonly used in the Kalyana Karnataka region and the Bharatiya Janata Party does not understand the linguistic diversity of the state. Priyank Kharge raised the question that what was the need to create controversy over the use of such a word. He clarified that while wishing Diwali, his father had appealed to the people to forget mutual differences and misunderstandings and maintain peace and national unity.
In fact, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had greeted people on the occasion of Diwali on November 7. During this, he had described Diwali as ‘Eid of happiness’. After his statement came to light, political discussion started. Questions were raised especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party regarding the use of this word. After this, the controversy regarding the statement of the Congress President started increasing and the matter became a subject of political debate.
While wishing Diwali, Mallikarjun Kharge had called upon people to maintain peace and unity in the society. He had said in his message that people should forget mutual differences and misunderstandings and move forward. The major objective of his message was to inspire people to remain united and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood on the occasion of the festival. However, a controversy arose over the use of the word ‘Eid of Happiness’ in this message.
Reacting to the Congress President’s statement, his son and Karnataka government minister Priyank Kharge targeted the BJP. He said that the term ‘Eid of Happiness’ is commonly used in Kalyana Karnataka region. It is part of the linguistic expression of the region. In such a situation, it is not appropriate to create a political controversy regarding this word. He accused the BJP of not understanding the linguistic diversity of Karnataka.
Priyank Kharge said that different regions in Karnataka have their own linguistic characteristics and speaking traditions. The words and expressions used in the Kalyana Karnataka region should be understood in the same context. Supporting his father’s statement, he questioned what was the need to make this matter such a big political issue.
After Priyank Kharge’s reaction, this controversy was not limited to just Diwali wishes, but discussion also started regarding linguistic diversity and regional expressions. He accused the BJP of not properly understanding the meaning of the language and words used in different areas of Karnataka. According to him, there should not be unnecessary controversy over a word used in common parlance in any area.
The most important aspect in the controversy arising over Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement is that along with Diwali wishes, he had also given the message of peace and national unity. He had appealed to the people to put aside their differences and remain united. Keeping this context in front, Priyank Kharge has defended his father’s statement.
In the politics of Karnataka, the round of allegations and counter-allegations continues between Congress and BJP. This time a political debate is being seen between both the parties regarding a word used in Diwali wishes. After Congress President’s statement was questioned, Priyank Kharge criticized BJP and said that such controversy should not be created without understanding the linguistic diversity of Karnataka.
Referring to Kalyana Karnataka region, Priyank Kharge stressed the importance of local colloquialism and language. He said that the use of the word ‘Eid of Happiness’ is common in this area. He laid special emphasis on the fact that it is necessary to understand the regional nature of the language. The context in which a word is used, the situation and the feeling with which it is used, should be kept in mind.
The debate that started over Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement has also raised the question as to how the messages given by political leaders on the occasion of festivals should be interpreted. On one hand, objections are being raised regarding the word used in his statement, while on the other hand, Priyank Kharge is calling it a regional linguistic expression and terming the controversy as unnecessary.
Priyank Kharge has also put forward the basic purpose of his father’s message. He says that on the occasion of Diwali, Mallikarjun Kharge had given the message of unity and peace to the people. He appealed to the people to forget their differences and misunderstandings and move forward together. In such a situation, it is not appropriate to create controversy over the words used in his statement.
In this entire matter, Priyank Kharge’s comment on BJP is also in discussion. He alleged that the BJP has failed to understand the linguistic diversity of Karnataka. Priyank Kharge clarified that instead of controversies over the words prevalent in Kalyana Karnataka, their local context should be understood.
At present, political debate is going on on the statement of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge calling Diwali as ‘Eid of Happiness’. His son Priyank Kharge termed this word as a common linguistic expression of Kalyana Karnataka in the BJP’s