Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal found himself at the center of a political storm after his remarks referencing the Ramayana during a rally in Vishwas Nagar drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kejriwal compared the BJP to the “golden deer” in the epic tale, cautioning voters against falling for their alleged “traps.”
Addressing slum dwellers, Kejriwal narrated the story of Sita being lured by the golden deer, leading to her abduction by Ravan, and likened BJP’s campaign strategies to the deceptive tactics used by the demon king. “These BJP people are like the golden deer. They don’t care about you, they care about your votes. Don’t fall into their trap,” Kejriwal stated.
BJP’s Counterattack
The BJP reacted strongly to Kejriwal’s comments, accusing him of misquoting the Ramayana and using religious symbolism for political gain. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva alleged that Kejriwal had insulted Sanatan Dharma and misinterpreted the sacred text, Ramcharitmanas.
“The way Arvind Kejriwal has misinterpreted Shri Ramcharitmanas and tried to insult Sanatan Dharma is disgraceful. He is a habitual offender who only remembers temples and religion during elections,” Sachdeva told ANI.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also lashed out, labeling Kejriwal a “Chunavi Hindu” (seasonal Hindu) and accusing him of appeasement politics. “Appeasement runs in his veins and that of his boss, Rahul Gandhi. Kejriwal has little understanding of the Ramayana but is quick to use it to mislead voters,” Bhandari said.
Bhandari further alleged that Kejriwal is “irritated” by the Ayodhya Ram Temple project and accused him of supporting illegal Rohingya migrants and favoring the Waqf Board in land allocations.
AAP Defends Kejriwal
Amid the uproar, AAP leaders defended Kejriwal’s remarks, arguing that his comments were intended to warn voters against BJP’s alleged false promises. “Kejriwal used the Ramayana as an example to caution people against being deceived. This outrage is nothing more than BJP’s attempt to divert attention from their failures,” an AAP spokesperson said.
Election Heat
With Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, and vote counting on February 8, the political atmosphere has intensified. AAP, BJP, and Congress are locked in a heated three-way contest. While AAP remains the ruling party, the BJP is looking to expand its presence beyond the eight seats it won in 2020.