The Delhi BJP on Tuesday escalated its attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of adopting a superficial and opportunistic approach toward Hindu voters by being a "chunavi Hindu" (Hindu for election purposes). The criticism followed Kejriwal’s announcement of the Pujari Granthi Samman Rashi Scheme, a welfare initiative promising a monthly allowance of ₹18,000 to temple priests and gurdwara granthis, unveiled in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections.
The BJP intensified its mockery of Kejriwal through a sharp and theatrical social media post. The Delhi BJP shared a satirical image on X (formerly Twitter) portraying Kejriwal in a caricatured priest-like avatar reminiscent of Rajpal Yadav’s comedic portrayal in the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The edited image depicted Kejriwal adorned with rudraksha beads, garlands of flowers, and smears of vermilion on his forehead. Adding to the dramatization, incense sticks were humorously placed behind his ear. The poster was accompanied by a sarcastic verse accusing Kejriwal of using religious imagery and temple visits as part of a deceptive election strategy, claiming he has disrespected Hindu traditions in the past.
The verse read: "Mandir jana hai bas mere liye ek chalaava, pujariyon ka samman bas mera chunavi dikhava, sanatan dharma ka maine humesh mazak banaya” (Visiting temples is merely a cunning guise for me; respect for priests is just an electoral façade; I have always mocked Sanatan Dharma).
The BJP’s critique extended beyond satire. In its accompanying tweet, the party accused Kejriwal of prioritizing clerics over Hindu priests during his tenure, highlighting that he has allegedly paid salaries to imams for over a decade while ignoring temple staff. They further claimed he opposed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and facilitated liquor shops near temples and gurdwaras, branding his recent outreach to priests and granthis as a calculated move for electoral gains.
In a fiery rebuttal, Kejriwal turned the tables on the BJP, challenging them to implement similar schemes in the states under their governance. "You have governments in 20 states and have ruled Gujarat for 30 years. Why haven’t you shown respect for priests and granthis till now?" he questioned. "Instead of abusing me, roll out such schemes in your states. Then everyone will benefit," he added in a tweet, seeking to shift the narrative.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal announced the Pujari Granthi Samman Rashi Scheme in a press conference, calling it a first-of-its-kind initiative in India. He explained that the scheme aimed to support a long-neglected section of society—temple and gurdwara staff—by providing them with financial assistance. Registration for the scheme, according to Kejriwal, began immediately. He framed the announcement as a reflection of his government’s inclusive vision, asserting, "Pujaris and granthis are an integral part of our culture and traditions. This initiative seeks to honor their service."
The initiative is the fifth major poll promise by the AAP, following earlier announcements targeting women, Dalits, senior citizens, and a commitment to providing uninterrupted water supply to households. Kejriwal and the AAP have positioned these schemes as a testament to their pro-people agenda, but the opposition has dismissed them as populist measures designed to woo voters.
Delhi BJP chief Veerendra Sachdeva sharply criticized the announcement, calling it a “political stunt” born out of desperation. "Kejriwal is a defeated and desperate leader who is announcing populist schemes daily in a bid to cling to power," Sachdeva stated. Former Delhi MP Parvesh Verma echoed similar sentiments, accusing Kejriwal of hypocrisy. "For the last 10 years, Kejriwal has paid ₹100 crore in salaries to clerics and their assistants while ignoring Hindu priests. Now, as elections approach, he suddenly remembers temples," Verma said.
The Congress also joined the fray, with Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav accusing Kejriwal of using “desperate attempts” to mask his alleged administrative failures. "These announcements are a smokescreen—trickery to influence voters and polish his tainted image," Yadav remarked.
Kejriwal’s announcement has stirred a larger debate on the role of religion in politics, with critics questioning the sincerity and sustainability of such welfare schemes. While the AAP claims to be setting a precedent for other states, opposition leaders argue that such promises lack depth and long-term viability.
The controversy highlights the high stakes of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with political parties pulling no punches to secure their voter base. As the election season intensifies, Kejriwal’s announcement and the BJP’s sharp rebuttal have become focal points in a broader battle over narrative and influence, underscoring how religion and welfare politics continue to shape India’s electoral landscape.
