The BJP has accused the Congress of insulting Hindu faith after Youth Congress workers depicted Rahul Gandhi
June 19, 2026: A political controversy erupted on Friday after the BJP accused the Congress of hurting Hindu sentiments by portraying Rahul Gandhi as Lord Parshuram during celebrations marking the Congress leader’s 56th birthday in Varanasi. Youth Congress workers celebrated the occasion by performing symbolic rituals on the banks of the Ganga and displaying an image of Rahul Gandhi holding an axe and a copy of the Constitution, resembling the revered Hindu figure Lord Parshuram.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly criticised the depiction, alleging that the Congress had once again disrespected Hindu faith. He claimed that comparing a political leader to an avatar of God was inappropriate and accused the Congress and its allies of repeatedly targeting Hindu traditions for political gain. Poonawalla also questioned whether Rahul Gandhi and the Congress would apologise for allegedly hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari joined the criticism, saying the portrayal amounted to an insult to Lord Parshuram. He further accused the Congress of practising appeasement politics and referred to the party’s recent setback in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election as evidence of weakening support within its alliance. The controversy has triggered a fresh political debate, with the BJP using the issue to target the Congress ahead of future electoral battles.