New Delhi, 26 September (H.S.):

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh criticised the Congress over its remarks on ‘Bhajan Clubbing’, alleging that the party’s comments amounted to an insult to Indian culture, the devotional tradition and Sanatan values. Chugh said that young people around the world are increasingly drawn to Indian bhajans and devotional music, while youth in India and abroad are connecting with the country’s spiritual traditions through new formats such as ‘Bhajan Clubbing’.

In a post on X on Saturday, Chugh said that some Congress leaders continued to view India through “Italian-tinted glasses” and mocked Indian culture for political purposes. He said forces that opposed the Bhakti tradition had existed in the past as well and alleged that the same mindset was now appearing in a new form. Describing the development as unfortunate, he said there was a need to understand the growing interest among young people in India’s devotional and spiritual traditions.

The remarks came after Congress leader Priyank Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had time to attend events such as ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ but not to respond to serious questions concerning the Election Commission and democracy. Kharge said that for the past 13 years, there had been a pattern in which the government responded to difficult questions with silence rather than accountability.

Kharge also alleged that the Prime Minister’s presence was visible at celebrations and ceremonial events, while he remained silent on questions relating to accountability. His remarks followed Prime Minister Modi’s participation in a ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ event in New Delhi on Friday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar