Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 27: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale took a sharp swipe at Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray, questioning their commitment to Hindu traditions after they skipped the recently concluded Maha Kumbh.

Speaking to the media, Athawale suggested that their absence from the revered religious gathering was a sign of their indifference toward Hindu culture. "Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray did not attend Kumbh. Are they Hindus or not? If they were, they should have been there. Their absence proves they do not believe in the Hindu religion," he asserted.

The Maha Kumbh, a 45-day-long sacred congregation at the Triveni Sangam, concluded on February 26, attracting millions of devotees, including saints, Naga Sadhus, and political leaders. Prominent figures from across the country visited the event, seeking divine blessings. However, Gandhi and Thackeray—key leaders of the INDIA alliance—were notably missing.

Athawale did not hold back, arguing that Hindu voters should take note of their absence when casting their votes in the upcoming elections. "The public will definitely teach them a lesson," he remarked, adding that the event was a Hindu spiritual gathering, not a political stage for PM Narendra Modi or UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

Taking a further dig at their political standing, Athawale suggested that both leaders were already struggling and that their absence from such a major religious occasion would only weaken their electoral prospects. "The public has already sidelined them, and after this, their political future looks even bleaker," he stated.

As political temperatures rise ahead of the elections, Athawale’s remarks add fuel to the debate over religion and politics, setting the stage for further political confrontations.