Overview

• Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, questioned whether taking dips in the Ganga during the Mahakumbh could alleviate poverty or address pressing social issues like hunger and unemployment.
• Kharge clarified that his remarks were not intended to question anyone's faith and apologized if his comments hurt religious sentiments.
• The BJP, including spokesperson Sambit Patra, accused Kharge and Congress of disrespecting Hindu traditions and adopting an 'anti-Sanatan' stance.
• The remarks came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the Mahakumbh by taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
• Rahul Gandhi, also present at the rally, criticized the BJP government for economic policies he claimed favor billionaires while harming the poor.