Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad expresses his greetings to the people of Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali but accuses BJP of politicizing the festival and dividing people. He states that he has not received an invitation to the grand Deepotsav event, adding that the festival belongs to all communities. Despite not receiving an invitation, the MP says he will be visiting his constituency on Diwali.
Congress MP Accuses BJP of Politicizing Diwali in Ayodhya
Awadhesh Prasad, Congress MP from Ayodhya, has expressed his greetings to the people of his constituency on the occasion of Diwali but has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing the festival and dividing people.
Prasad claimed that he had not received an invitation to the grand Deepotsav event being organized by the state government in Ayodhya, which is the birthplace of Lord Ram and a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. He stated that the festival belonged to all communities and should not be used for political gains.
Background
The Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya has gained prominence in recent years, especially after the construction of the Ram temple began on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. The BJP has been promoting the event as a symbol of Hindu pride and has drawn large crowds to Ayodhya during the festival.
However, critics have accused the BJP of using the festival to consolidate its political base and polarize voters. They have pointed out that the Deepotsav celebrations have often been accompanied by speeches by BJP leaders that emphasize Hindu nationalism and target minority communities.
Prasad's Statement
In his statement, Prasad said, "Diwali is a festival of all communities, not just Hindus. It is a festival of lights that removes darkness and brings happiness. The BJP should not politicize it and divide people."
He added, "I have not received an invitation to the Deepotsav event, but I will be visiting my constituency on Diwali. I will meet the people and celebrate the festival with them."
FAQs
1. What is Deepotsav?
Deepotsav is a Hindu festival celebrated in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed to be the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The festival is celebrated with the lighting of millions of earthen lamps and fireworks.
2. Why is Ayodhya significant for Hindus?
Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, who is revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is considered one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism.
3. What is the controversy surrounding Deepotsav?
Critics have accused the BJP of using Deepotsav to promote Hindu nationalism and polarize voters. They have pointed out that the festival has often been accompanied by speeches by BJP leaders that emphasize Hindu supremacy and target minority communities.
4. Why did Awadhesh Prasad not receive an invitation to Deepotsav?
Prasad is a member of the Congress party, which is in opposition to the ruling BJP. The BJP has been accused of excluding opposition leaders from official events.
5. What is the significance of Prasad's statement?
Prasad's statement is significant because it highlights the growing political divide in India. It also suggests that the BJP may be using religious festivals to consolidate its power base.
In a powerful speech, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai highlighted the essential role of human dignity in the Constitution and the judiciary's responsibility to uphold it. He emphasized that dignity forms the very core of fundamental rights and has been consistently upheld by the Supreme Court in landmark judgments. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla echoed this sentiment, stating that it is crucial for the government and judiciary to work together to deliver justice to the people.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will be attending the grand celebration of Mupperum Vizha, which marks the birth anniversary of party founder CN Annadurai, social reformer Periyar, and DMK's founding day. Several prestigious awards, including the Periyar Award for Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, will be presented during the event, which has been designed like a fortress with a capacity to seat one lakh people. The stage is dominated by portraits of Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with banners highlighting the achievements of the Tamil Nadu government.
The Vantara zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre, established by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, was under scrutiny by the Supreme Court following allegations of irregularities. On 15 September 2025, the Court accepted the findings of the special investigation team (SIT) in a "sealed cover," concluding that there were no violations of various laws and regulations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed admiration for the justice system's rare display of efficiency in this case, but also raised questions about the use of sealed covers in court proceedings.
The District Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Urban Development & Housing, has officially kicked off the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign in Ziro, India. The initiative aims to promote mass participation in cleanliness and waste management activities, with the goal of making Ziro a model of hygiene and environmental stewardship. The launch event, attended by government officials and members of the public, also saw the administration taking the Swachhata Pledge to reaffirm their commitment to a "Clean India, Green India". Stay tuned for upcoming activities and events leading up to Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
In a dramatic turn of events, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped from accessing flood-hit villages on the India-Pakistan border due to safety concerns. A three-week-long investigation into allegations against Reliance Foundation's Vantara wildlife centre found no evidence of wrongdoing, prompting the Supreme Court to close the case. Forest officials in Madhya Pradesh are seeking answers from an IRS officer and his wife, who are accused of building a resort in an ecologically sensitive zone. Stay updated with these and other news stories on the Indian Express.
Rahul Gandhi, who was on a visit to flood-hit villages in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, was stopped by police from crossing the Ravi river to the "zero line" villages on the Indo-Pak border. The Congress leader had spent the day assessing damage and meeting with victims before being told it was unsafe to attempt the boat crossing. This comes after the Supreme Court closed a case involving allegations against the Reliance Foundation's wildlife rescue centre in Gujarat. Meanwhile, forest officials have sought clarification from an IRS officer and his wife for allegedly building a hotel/resort in an ecosensitive zone at Panna Tiger Reserve. Stay updated with breaking news on our live blog on Instagram.
Global leaders take to social media to send well wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday. With the upcoming national election and ongoing tensions with neighboring countries, world leaders hope for continued success and prosperity for both Modi and the nation. India's growing presence on the global stage is recognized and celebrated by leaders across the world, showing the significance and influence of the country's political landscape.
Today, September 17, marks the birthday of India’s Prime Minister and influential global leader, Narendra Modi. As he turns another year older, people from all over the world are sharing warm wishes, heartfelt messages, and inspiring quotes to honor his dedication and leadership to the nation. With a dominating presence on social media, PM Modi's birthday images are the perfect way to extend your wishes and celebrate his special day.
As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates his 75th birthday, world leaders, including former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sent messages of congratulations and appreciation. In their messages, they praised PM Modi for his leadership and his role in strengthening India's position on the global stage. In a phone call, President Trump and PM Modi also discussed important global issues and their commitment to further enhancing India-US relations.
On his 75th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm wishes and praise from President Droupadi Murmu and leaders across party lines. Murmu praised Modi for instilling a culture of achieving great goals in the country and wished for his ongoing good health and leadership. Other leaders, like Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar, also thanked Modi for his contributions to India's progress and development. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet colleagues also participated in a blood donation camp organized as part of the BJP-led city government's 'Sewa Pakhwada' to commemorate the PM's birthday.