BJP targets Lalu Yadav over Halloween photos, cites his 'meaningless Kumbh' remark ahead of Bihar polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on the images to accuse Yadav of hypocrisy, reminding voters that he had earlier dismissed the Kumbh Mela as “meaningless.”

The controversy began when Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya shared photos and videos on social media showing her children dressed in Halloween costumes- one appearing as the Grim Reaper- with Lalu Yadav smiling alongside them. “Happy Halloween to everyone,” she captioned the post.

Shortly after, the BJP Kisan Morcha posted a split video juxtaposing Yadav’s old comments on Kumbh with the Halloween visuals.

“Don’t forget, people of Bihar — this is the same Lalu Yadav who called the grand Kumbh of faith and spirituality useless, and now he’s celebrating a British festival,” the BJP’s Kisan Morcha handle said on X.

“Whoever attacks faith, the people of Bihar will not vote for him,” it added.

Lalu’s controversial Kumbh remark

The row revives a February controversy when Yadav, responding to a question on the massive turnout at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, said, “Kumbh ka koi matlab hai? Faltu hai Kumbh (Does Kumbh have any meaning? It’s useless).”

His remarks triggered a strong backlash from the BJP, which accused him of insulting Hindu sentiments.

At the time, Bihar BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said the comment “exposes the RJD’s mindset towards the majority community.”

The latest exchange adds a cultural flashpoint to an already heated campaign, with the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11, and counting on November 14.

While Halloween, rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, is widely celebrated in Western countries with costumes and themed parties, the BJP’s criticism appears aimed at portraying Lalu Yadav and his party as being “out of touch” with traditional Indian values ahead of the polls.

RJD leaders have not yet officially responded to the BJP’s attack.