Agartala, 23rd October 2026 : Minister Sudhangshu Das has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and senior CPI(M) leaders, questioning their alleged absence from Durga Puja celebrations and accusing them of showing little regard for Hindu Sanatan Dharma.
In a video message released on the occasion of Bijoya Dashami, the Minister for Animal Resources Development, Fisheries and SC Welfare urged Hindu supporters of the Congress and Left parties to question their leaders over their alleged non-participation in the religious festivities.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Das questioned why the Congress leader reportedly travelled to Vietnam when people across the country were celebrating Navaratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra. He also targeted the CPI(M) leadership in Tripura, alleging that senior leaders of the party were not seen visiting Durga Puja pandals or offering prayers to Goddess Durga.
“While people were worshipping Maa Durga with devotion and participating in the celebrations, these leaders of parties that claim to uphold secular values were nowhere to be seen at the Puja mandaps,” Das alleged.
The minister said he had checked the social media accounts of the leaders concerned but could not find any evidence of their participation in the festivities. He called upon Hindu workers and supporters of the Congress and CPI(M) to seek explanations from their respective leaderships.
According to Das, political workers who follow Hindu traditions should carefully examine whether the positions taken by their parties reflect their own religious and cultural beliefs. He alleged that both the Congress and the Left were opposed to Sanatan Dharma and urged Hindu supporters to reconsider their political association with these parties.
Das further accused the opposition leadership of pursuing an ideology that, he claimed, threatened India’s cultural and religious traditions. He maintained that his remarks were intended to create awareness among ordinary party workers rather than merely engage in political mudslinging.
The minister also challenged Congress and Left leaders to demonstrate instances of their participation in Durga Puja celebrations, reiterating that their alleged absence raised questions about their attitude towards Hindu religious practices.
Concluding his message, Das extended Bijoya Dashami greetings to the people of Tripura and prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being for all with the blessings of Goddess Durga.
