BJP Takes ‘Bhatura’ Potshots at Congress Over Nationwide Fast

The Congress did not deny that its leaders ate at a restaurant before the fast.

A photo of Congress leaders eating before the fast.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@HarishKhuranna)

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

A Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Harish Khurana stirred a new controversy on Monday, 9 April, during Congress party’s fast to “protect communal harmony”, by tweeting a photo of prominent party leaders eating at a restaurant before the fast.

Khurana claimed that the leaders ate at a restaurant before reaching the protest venue and “observing fast” over the atrocities committed against Dalits, in the light of violent Bharat Bandh protests held earlier in April.

This picture (of Congress leaders eating before fast) reveals the double-standards of the Congress. On one hand they are claiming to observe fast, on the other hand they are seen having food at a restaurant. The picture is authentic. Let them deny it.

Harish Khurana, BJP leader

Responding to the allegation, Congress leader AS Lovely said the photograph was from before 8 am, but the symbolic fast began from 10:30 am on 9 April.

The photograph is from before 8 am. This was a symbolic fast from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, but it is not an indefinite hunger strike. This is what is wrong with these (BJP) people, instead of properly running the country, they concentrate on what we eat.

AS Lovely, Congress

The Congress earlier announced that the party, led by President Rahul Gandhi, would protest at the Raj Ghat on Monday, as part of a nationwide "fast" to protest against the Narendra Modi government’s complicity in rising violence against minorities.

Speaking earlier in the day, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said:

Communal harmony and brotherhood is under threat in the Narendra Modi government. They want to divide the society, hence it is the duty of the Congress party to fight against such powers and this is what we have come together for. 

Randeep Surjewala, Congress spokesperson

BJP’s Sambit Patra also took a dig at the Congress president saying he “cannot get up early, or skip a meal” but talks about bringing a change.