RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav faced sharp criticism from the BJP after videos and photos of him celebrating Halloween with his grandchildren circulated on social media, prompting charges of hypocrisy over his earlier remark calling the Maha Kumbh “faltu” (meaningless). The BJP’s Kisan Morcha urged voters to remember his comment on the Kumbh while accusing him of endorsing a foreign festival.
Watch Video:
The visuals, shared by Lalu’s daughter and RJD leader Rohini Acharya, showed the former Bihar chief minister posing and playing with his grandchildren in Halloween attire. As the clips spread online, BJP leaders revived Lalu’s February remark dismissing the Kumbh Mela’s relevance made while reacting to a stampede at New Delhi railway station that killed 18 people as evidence of disrespect toward Hindu beliefs.
Halloween, observed every October 31, traces back to the Celtic festival of Samhain and today is marked by costumes, trick-or-treating, carved pumpkins, and themed gatherings. The juxtaposition of Lalu’s family celebration with his past Kumbh comment triggered a political flashpoint, with BJP figures alleging the RJD’s “mindset” is dismissive of Hindu traditions.
The exchange adds fresh heat to Bihar’s election campaign, with polling due on November 6 and 11 for 243 assembly seats and counting on November 14. Both alliances have intensified messaging around faith, culture, and values as they court undecided voters in the final stretch.