For years, the Congress party has tried to project itself as a “secular” political force. But when one examines its public messaging particularly its social media greetings on religious festivals — a disturbing double standard emerges.
When Islamic festivals arrive, the Congress’s tone is reverent, warm, and deeply respectful. When Hindu festivals come, that tone changes to sarcasm, tokenism, or even outright mockery. This is not a one-off social media mishap it is a repeated pattern, pointing to a deeper mindset inside the party.
Lavish Respect for Islamic Occasions
The difference starts with the way Congress frames Islamic festivals. On Eid al-Adha, the party’s official handle (@INCIndia) posted a carefully crafted, elaborate wish:
“Eid al-Adha Mubarak! May this blessed occasion bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Wishing you all joy and countless blessings.”
It wasn’t just a bland greeting it invoked peace, happiness, prosperity, and “countless blessings” in a tone dripping with warmth and sincerity. Similarly, during Muharram, the Congress’s message was deeply emotive, invoking revered Islamic history:
“I learned from Imam Hussain that how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
The language, the reverence, and the cultural sensitivity are impossible to miss. Islamic festivals get personal tributes, moral lessons, and heartfelt blessings.
Now contrast that with the way Congress treated Raksha Bandhan, one of Hinduism’s most cherished festivals celebrating the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Instead of posting a genuine, heartfelt greeting, the party mocked the occasion with a sarcastic “Tax Bandhan” post:
- Mithai – 5 per cent GST
- Gift Hampers – 12–18 per cent GST
- Sagun ka Lifafa – 12 per cent GST
- Zari Dhaga – 5 per cent GST
- Cotton Dhaga – 5 per cent GST
“Bhaiyo Aur Beheno Bol Kar Loot Liya”
The message turned a spiritual and emotional day into a GST complaint. There was no cultural reference, no acknowledgment of tradition only political opportunism.
How Congress wishes on different Festivals !!! pic.twitter.com/7P0kS3dux2
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) August 9, 2025
Adding insult to injury, Rahul Gandhi himself marked the festival with an old, unrelated photograph a half-hearted, irrelevant post that underscored the lack of genuine respect for Hindu traditions.
On Rakhi Purnima/Raksha Bandhan when the whole nation is celebrating the sacred bond of love and protection.
Anti-Hindu Rahul Gandhi chose to wish with an old, unrelated photo.
Once again, Congress showed that Hindu festivals aren’t occasions of respect for them, but mere… pic.twitter.com/1nUascvA3J
— Cons of Congress (@ConsOfCongress) August 9, 2025
The bias doesn’t end with Raksha Bandhan. On Ashtami, a day of devotion and fasting for many Hindus, the Congress’s message wasn’t a respectful greeting it was a grocery price comparison:
Instead of acknowledging the spiritual significance of the day, the party used it as a platform for political grievance. Even inflation, a valid political topic, was deliberately tied to a Hindu religious event — a move that smacks of insensitivity and disdain. The consistency of this pattern points to a deliberate communication policy:
- Islamic festivals: Elaborate blessings, respectful references to religious history, warm wishes invoking peace and prosperity.
- Hindu festivals: Sarcastic wordplay, economic complaint charts, unrelated or recycled photographs, and minimal cultural sensitivity.
The message is subtle but unmistakable: Islamic festivals are occasions to connect respectfully; Hindu festivals are occasions to push political messaging.
Critics have long accused Congress of practising selective secularism championing minority appeasement while downplaying majority traditions. This pattern of festival greetings serves as a textbook example.
By elevating one faith’s occasions to moments of reverence while reducing another’s to sarcastic commentary, Congress undermines its own claims of equal respect for all religions. It also alienates the very people it claims to represent, revealing that its “secularism” is less about equality and more about targeted political calculation.
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