In recent times, political discourse in India has hit a new low, with opposition leaders resorting to inflammatory and divisive rhetoric. Two striking examples illustrate this trend: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s derogatory remarks about the Mahakumbh Mela and the Congress party’s offensive characterization of the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner.
The desperation of opposition parties is evident in their increasingly provocative statements. Mamata Banerjee’s terming of the Mahakumbh Mela as “Mruthyukumbh” (Death Kumbh) is not just objectionable but deeply hurtful to the faith of nearly 80-85 crore Hindus. The Mahakumbh Mela, a spiritual and cultural event, has seen a record-breaking 45 crore pilgrims, including foreign devotees, participate in the holy dip. Such remarks not only disrespect the faith of millions but also expose the opposition’s strategy of sowing discord.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and his party’s Rajya Sabha member, Jaya Bachchan, have also made unsubstantiated allegations regarding stampedes at the event. Claims of mass casualties and bodies being dumped in the Ganges, without any evidence, amount to a direct attack on Hindu traditions. Ironically, Jaya Bachchan, who belongs to the very faith she denigrates, is married to Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s most revered actors. His continued popularity, particularly through his long-running television show Kaun Banega Crorepati, underscores the deep cultural and religious fabric of the nation.
This trend of undermining Hindu religious events is not new. Convicted former RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has also dismissed the Kumbh Mela as a wasteful expenditure, while the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu has a long history of targeting Brahmins and Hindus. The DMK’s characterization of Sanatana Dharma as an affliction akin to dengue or malaria is a continuation of its ideological opposition to Hinduism. Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, have repeatedly made controversial statements, reinforcing the party’s stance.
Yet, there is an apparent contradiction in the behaviour of opposition leaders. While publicly denouncing the Kumbh Mela, many, including Akhilesh Yadav and Congress lawyer-turned-politician Abhishek Manu Singhvi, have discreetly participated in the holy dip. Such hypocrisy raises questions about the sincerity of their attacks on Hindu traditions.
The opposition’s relentless criticism of Hindu religious events appears to be driven by a fear of Hindu consolidation. The Mahakumbh Mela, which transcends caste divisions and unites Hindus from all walks of life, poses a direct challenge to their politics of division. The Congress party’s attempt to exploit caste-based narratives through so-called ‘caste surveys’ has also faced backlash. Reports and viral videos on social media indicate that many people rejected these surveys, yet the Congress government claims an overwhelming participation rate of 96 percent, making the exercise questionable.
The Congress’s history with caste surveys is telling. A similar exercise was undertaken after their electoral victory in Karnataka, yet the results were never made public. This selective approach suggests that the party is more interested in using caste as a political tool rather than genuinely addressing social disparities.
The opposition’s fear is that Hindu unity is becoming a formidable political force. The success of BJP-led governments, despite opposition parties’ caste- and religion-based strategies, highlights a shifting political landscape. Recent state elections, where the BJP secured victories in states like Haryana and Maharashtra, demonstrate that religious polarization, rather than welfare-based governance, is proving to be a decisive factor in electoral outcomes.
With prominent political strategist Prashant Kishor acknowledging the possibility of a more unified Hindu electorate, the opposition faces an existential crisis. If Hindu consolidation crosses 50 percent, as some anticipate, it could render opposition parties powerless against the BJP-led NDA. This scenario, while beneficial for the ruling party, poses challenges for a healthy democracy, which thrives on a strong and credible opposition.
India’s democracy benefits from diverse political voices and debates. However, when opposition parties’ resort to discrediting institutions, undermining faith-based gatherings, and propagating divisive narratives, they alienate large sections of society. Rather than focusing on constructive policy alternatives, they have chosen a path of hostility and misinformation.
The current trajectory suggests that unless the opposition recalibrates its approach and engages in meaningful discourse, it risks further electoral marginalization. The choice before them is clear: continue down the path of political irrelevance or rebuild credibility through responsible politics and genuine public engagement.
