Rahul Gandhi’s Parshuram Avatar Sparks Political Firestorm
BJP attacks Congress over depiction of Rahul Gandhi as Hindu deity, party defends act
- Rahul Gandhi turns 56; leaders extend birthday wishes.
- PM Modi wishes Congress leader good health.
- Varanasi Youth Congress puja triggers political controversy.
- BJP and Congress clash over Parshuram depiction.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th June: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi turned 56 on Friday, receiving birthday wishes from leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wished him good health.
However, the celebrations triggered a political controversy after the Varanasi unit of the Youth Congress performed a puja on the banks of the Ganga using a poster depicting Rahul Gandhi as Lord Parshuram, holding an axe and a copy of the Constitution.
The Congress workers conducted a Rudrabhishek with Vedic chants, offered milk on the poster and cut an 11-kg laddu cake while praying for Rahul Gandhi’s long life and success.
The BJP strongly criticised the event, calling it an insult to Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and BJP leaders Pradeep Bhandari and Amit Malviya accused the Congress of disrespecting Hindu beliefs and using religious symbols for political messaging.
Defending the event, Varanasi Youth Congress president Vikas Singh said the depiction reflected the workers’ emotions, comparing Rahul Gandhi’s fight against “evil forces” with Lord Parshuram’s role in Hindu tradition. Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma also defended the event, saying the organisers belonged to the Brahmin community and expressed their devotion.
