Varanasi, June 19 (IANS) Congress workers marked the 56th birthday of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with a unique celebration on Friday. Members of the Youth Congress portrayed him as ‘Lord Parashuram,’ performed a milk abhishek, celebrated on the banks of the Ganga, cut a laddoo cake, and displayed his image holding a copy of the Constitution.

However, the celebration drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which questioned the appropriateness of depicting a political leader in the form of a deity.

Speaking to IANS, Youth Congress leader Vikas Singh said, “Under the banner of the Youth Congress, we gathered today in the lap of Mother Ganga, where Brahmins chanted Vedic mantras and bestowed their blessings. We prayed for Rahul Gandhi’s long life and wished that he continues to raise the voice of common people.”

Reacting to it, Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar criticised the Congress and its workers.

Speaking to IANS, he said, “They are fake people. Neither their religion nor their caste is clear. Has anything ever been made clear? We do not question anyone’s parents, but Congress workers should have some sense.”

Rajbhar further alleged that the Congress adopts religious symbolism only during elections.

“When elections come, they visit temples, apply ‘tika’ and wear ‘janeu’. Later, they raise questions about the existence of God. This is their mentality. The country is far removed from such politics,” he told IANS.

Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma also objected to the manner in which the celebrations were conducted.

“Offering milk is understandable, but installing someone in the form of a god is not appropriate. How can any god be compared to a human being? Politicians should avoid such acts and programmes,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday greetings to Rahul Gandhi, the LoP in the Lok Sabha, wishing him good health and a long life.

PM Modi took to social media ‘X’ and said, “Best wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji on his birthday. Praying for his good health and long life.”

Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, turned 56 on Friday. Born on June 19, 1970, he is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi spent his early years in New Delhi and studied at St. Columba’s School before joining The Doon School in Dehradun. During this period, his father entered active politics and later became Prime Minister following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.

Owing to security concerns faced by the family, Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were subsequently educated through homeschooling for a period.

After briefly attending St. Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi, Rahul Gandhi moved to the United States to pursue higher education at Harvard University.

Following the assassination of his father in 1991 and the resulting security concerns, he later transferred to Rollins College in Florida, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in 1994. He subsequently earned an M.Phil. in Development Studies from Trinity College, Cambridge University, in 1995.

Rahul Gandhi formally entered politics in 2004 when he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, a constituency previously represented by his father.

He secured a decisive victory and began his parliamentary career. Over the years, he has focussed on issues related to rural development, education, social welfare, youth participation, and women’s empowerment.

–IANS

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