A fresh political controversy erupted on Friday during the 56th birthday celebrations of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi after Youth Congress workers in Varanasi performed religious rituals with a poster portraying him as Parashurama.
The celebration took place on the banks of the Ganga River, where Congress workers carried a large poster showing Rahul Gandhi holding an axe in one hand and the Constitution of India in the other. The image resembled Lord Parshuram, the warrior sage and sixth avatar of Vishnu.
Workers performed Rudrabhishek rituals, poured milk over the poster, offered flowers, and chanted Vedic hymns while standing in knee-deep water. They also cut an 11-kg laddu cake and prayed for Rahul Gandhi’s long life and political success.
BJP Calls It an Insult to Lord Parshuram
The visuals quickly sparked criticism from the BJP, which accused Congress of hurting religious sentiments.
Brajesh Pathak strongly objected to the depiction and said, “Congress leaders have lost their sense. Lord Parshuram is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Comparing Rahul Gandhi with him is unacceptable.”
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also attacked Congress, saying, “For most of the year Congress insults Sanatan Dharma, and now they are using Lord Parshuram for political glorification.”
Several BJP supporters on social media also termed the act “blasphemous” and demanded action, saying deities should not be used for political personality cults.
Congress Defends the Symbolism
The Congress defended the event, saying it reflected the emotions of party workers.
Varanasi Youth Congress president Vikas Singh said, “This is our way of expressing respect for our leader. Just as Lord Parshuram fought against evil, Rahul Gandhi is fighting against injustice.”
Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma also backed the ritual, saying the organisers belong to the Brahmin community and their act was based on devotion and symbolism.
PM Modi Wishes Rahul Gandhi
Amid the political storm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi on X, wishing him “good health.”
Rahul Gandhi’s birthday was marked by celebrations across the country by Congress workers, but the Varanasi event has once again brought attention to the growing trend of political deification in India, where leaders are often compared to gods or historical icons.
