Lalu Yadav's daughter and RJD leader Rohini Acharya shared a few visuals of the celebrations. (X/RohiniAcharya2)
Months after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad sparked a controversy with his Maha Kumbh "faaltu (meaningless)" remark, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the RJD patriarch after videos of him celebrating the Halloween festival with his grandchildren surfaced on social media on Saturday. The saffron party criticised him for his earlier statement calling the Maha Kumbh festival "meaningless" while celebrating the 'foreign' festival of Halloween.
In a post targeting Yadav, the official account of BJP Kisan Morcha (BJPKM) wrote, "Don't forget, people of Bihar, this is the same Lalu Yadav who had called the grand festival of faith and spirituality Maha Kumbh useless and is now celebrating the festival of Halloween. Those who attack faith will not get votes from the people of Bihar."
Lalu Yadav's daughter and RJD leader Rohini Acharya shared a few visuals of the celebrations in an X post with the caption, "Happy Halloween to everyone." The RJD chief could be seen taking pictures with his grandchildren, who were dressed up for Halloween.
Yadav sparked a controversy in February after he called the Maha Kumbh "faaltu (meaningless)". His remarks came while commenting on the stampede at the New Delhi Railway station, in which 18 people lost their lives and many were left injured as passengers rushed to board trains bound for Prayagraj. When asked to comment on the large crowds heading to the mega religious gathering and suggestions for crowd management, Prasad said, "Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faltu hai Kumbh (Is there any meaning to Kumbh?... It is just meaningless)."
The BJP had then launched a scathing attack on Yadav for his remarks. Bihar BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said it showed the RJD's mindset towards the Hindu religion. "He is making such comments due to his politics of appeasement. The RJD leaders have always insulted the religious sentiments of Hindus. The latest statement of Lalu Prasad calling the Maha Kumbh meaningless exposes the party's mindset towards the Hindu religion," he said.
The BJP versus Lalu Yadav clash comes ahead of the anticipated Bihar assembly elections, the first phase of which will take place on November 6, and the second phase of voting for the 243-seat Assembly will be held on November 11. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.