Zillar Barta Desk,Guwahati/New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his description of an opposition protest as “Tandav,” invoking Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance. Sarma accused Gandhi and the Congress of disrespecting Sanatan Dharma and questioned their approach towards Hindu religious traditions.
The controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi described the opposition’s march towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12 as “Shiv ki Baraat” and “Tandav.” The protest was organised by opposition leaders over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Sarma questioned the Congress leader’s position on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and his references to Lord Shiva. The Assam Chief Minister argued that those who invoke Hindu religious symbols in political movements should also demonstrate respect for Sanatan Dharma.
Sarma alleged that the Congress frequently criticises Sanatan traditions and the Ram Temple, but has now invoked Lord Shiva while describing its political protest. He also questioned whether religious symbolism was being used as a political tool.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, used the imagery of Lord Shiva’s Tandav to describe the opposition’s protest movement. He said the demonstration was spontaneous and did not require a fixed script or elaborate planning, adding that anyone willing to participate could join.
The march involved opposition leaders and supporters who sought to raise concerns over the electoral roll revision process. The INDIA bloc has alleged irregularities in the voter-list exercise and demanded accountability from the Election Commission.
The allegations remain politically contested, with the opposition raising questions about electoral transparency and the BJP defending its position against the criticism.
Sarma’s response has added another dimension to the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress. While the Assam Chief Minister accused Gandhi of using religious references inconsistently, the Congress leader framed the protest as a broader political movement.
The exchange highlights the growing intersection of religious symbolism, electoral politics and disputes over constitutional institutions in India.
The BJP and Congress have frequently clashed over the interpretation of religious traditions and the role of the Election Commission. The latest controversy is expected to fuel further political debate over whether religious imagery should be used to describe political protests.
As the disagreement continues, the central questions concern the opposition’s allegations regarding electoral processes, the Election Commission’s role, and the place of religious references in political discourse.
