Lucknow | October 19, 2025 — A fresh political storm erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav drew a parallel between Diwali celebrations in India and Christmas festivities abroad, suggesting that India could “learn” from how cities around the world light up during Christmas. His remarks, made in the context of the upcoming Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, triggered fierce criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), who accused him of disrespecting Hindu traditions and undermining cultural pride.
The Remark That Sparked the Row
While addressing a gathering over the weekend, Yadav commented on the grandeur of global celebrations, saying,
“I don’t want to give a suggestion. But I will give one suggestion in the name of Lord Ram. Across the world, all cities get illuminated during Christmas, and that goes on for months. We should learn from them. Why do we have to spend money on lamps and candles and put so much thought into it?”
The SP leader used the opportunity to criticize the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the state’s spending on Diwali celebrations was excessive and politically motivated.
“What can we expect from this government; it should be removed. We will make sure that there are more beautiful lights,” Yadav said.
The comments came as Ayodhya prepared to celebrate Deepotsav, an annual event that includes the lighting of more than 26 lakh diyas (oil lamps) on the ghats of the Saryu River — a spectacle that the state government says is aimed at setting a new Guinness World Record and promoting Ayodhya as a global spiritual destination.
BJP Leaders Accuse Yadav of Insulting Hindu Traditions
The remarks quickly drew outrage from the BJP, which accused Yadav of showing contempt for Hindu culture and faith. BJP spokespersons alleged that Yadav’s statements echoed the rhetoric of anti-Hindu groups and displayed ignorance of India’s ancient traditions.
Senior BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said Yadav’s comment was “deeply condemnable,” adding,
“Akhilesh Yadav finds lighting diyas problematic. This reflects the same mindset as the DMK’s call for the ‘eradication of Sanatan Dharma’ and Rahul Gandhi’s dismissive remarks about Hindu dharma. These are the same people who opposed the Ram temple and are now against celebrating Diwali.”
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also took aim at Yadav, accusing the Samajwadi Party of hypocrisy.
“A party that opposed the Ram Mandir movement, kept Ayodhya in darkness for decades, and even glorified those who attacked Ram Bhakts, now objects to the city’s illumination for Deepotsav,” Poonawalla said.
He contrasted the current government’s efforts in Ayodhya with the lavish Saifai Mahotsav, an annual cultural event hosted by the Yadav family in their hometown, which critics often cite as an example of extravagance.
“When they organized Saifai celebrations that benefited no common citizen, they were proud. But when thousands of small vendors in Ayodhya are earning their livelihood from Deepotsav, they express discontent,” Poonawalla added.
Amit Malviya: ‘Diwali Is a Celebration of Faith, Not Expenditure’
BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya also joined the criticism, arguing that Yadav’s comparison between Diwali and Christmas was misguided and culturally insensitive.
“Diwali is not merely a festival of lights; it is a symbol of our spiritual and cultural heritage — a celebration of the victory of light over darkness,” Malviya said.
He continued,
“Diyas and candles are part of every Indian household’s devotion. Calling them a ‘waste of money’ is not only inappropriate but an insult to the Hindu faith. Instead of comparing festivals, Akhilesh Yadav should learn to respect India’s diverse traditions — that is the essence of true secularism.”
Malviya’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment within the BJP that Yadav’s comment fits a pattern of what the party describes as “selective secularism” — where Hindu symbols and customs are allegedly demeaned in the name of modernity or progress.
VHP’s Strong Rebuke
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a prominent Hindu nationalist organization allied with the BJP on cultural issues, also issued a sharp rebuke. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn Yadav’s statements, accusing him of “denigrating” Hindu traditions.
“Just listen — this former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is praising Christmas on the occasion of Diwali. The rows of diyas have burned his heart so much that he is preaching to one billion Hindus not to waste money on diyas and candles, and to learn from Christmas,” Bansal wrote.
He further attacked Yadav for what he described as a historical and cultural ignorance.
“When Christianity didn’t even exist, Diwali was already being celebrated with rituals and devotion. Now Hindu society is being told to learn from Christians! On the sacred land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, illegal religious conversions flourished under leaders like him, who filled their cabinets with criminals and extremists,” Bansal said.
A Familiar Flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh Politics
This is not the first time Akhilesh Yadav has been embroiled in controversy over religious or cultural comments. As a leader who has often positioned himself as a secular alternative to the BJP’s Hindutva-driven politics, Yadav’s statements frequently invite political backlash from right-wing groups.
The latest controversy also comes at a sensitive time — just days before Ayodhya’s Deepotsav celebrations and as the Ram Temple prepares for its first Diwali since the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol earlier this year. The state government has promoted the event as a symbol of “cultural pride and spiritual unity,” drawing thousands of pilgrims and tourists to Ayodhya.
For the BJP, defending the sanctity of such festivals is both a political and ideological imperative. Leaders within the party have used Yadav’s remarks to question his commitment to India’s cultural values and portray him as being disconnected from the religious sentiments of the majority community.
Opposition’s Silence and Political Implications
Interestingly, while BJP and VHP leaders have mounted a coordinated response, other opposition parties have remained largely silent on Yadav’s remarks. Analysts suggest that parties like the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are wary of being drawn into a debate that could alienate Hindu voters in northern India.
Political observers say that Yadav’s comment may have been intended as a critique of what he views as the BJP’s “politicization” of religious festivals, but the phrasing allowed opponents to frame it as an attack on Hindu traditions themselves.
“This controversy is less about Christmas or Diwali, and more about narrative control,” said a senior Lucknow-based political analyst. “The BJP thrives on issues where it can project itself as the defender of faith and culture. Akhilesh’s words, whether intentional or not, gave them that opportunity.”
Conclusion
As the war of words intensifies, Akhilesh Yadav’s Diwali–Christmas comparison has once again exposed the fragile balance between secularism and religious identity in Indian politics. For the BJP and its affiliates, the episode reinforces their position as guardians of Hindu cultural pride, while for Akhilesh Yadav, it risks alienating sections of voters who view his remarks as dismissive of traditional practices.
With Ayodhya’s Deepotsav preparations in full swing and millions of diyas set to illuminate the city, the political heat surrounding Yadav’s comment shows no sign of dimming. As Uttar Pradesh readies for the festival of lights, its politics — as always — remain charged, polarized, and deeply intertwined with faith.
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