The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav for consuming fish during Navratri. In response to a video showing him and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni eating fish in a helicopter after a campaign, BJP leader and union minister Giriraj Singh labeled Tejashwi Yadav as a “seasonal sanatani”. Singh further accused Tejashwi Yadav of engaging in appeasement politics under the guise of Sanatan, pointing out the influx of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators during his father Lalu Yadav’s tenure. Additionally, he referred to Lalu Yadav’s party as a private limited company.
Lalu Yadav’s party functions as a private limited company, allowing them to choose shareholders as they see fit. In Bihar, a significant number of individuals, including infiltrators and Rohingyas, are listed as voters. I advocate for a system that would prevent them from exercising their voting rights.
Reacting to the video, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Vijay Sinha criticized Tejashwi Yadav for eating fish during Navratri, calling it a disrespect to his own religion.
“Some individuals claim to uphold the principles of Sanatan Dharma but fail to adhere to its values. While I have no issue with dietary preferences, the act of sharing a video of eating fish during Navratri seems like a political move of appeasement,” he stated. “One should take pride in their religion, values, nation, and society, rather than belittling them. Secularism does not entail disrespecting one’s own religion. As PM Modi has stated, politics should focus on satisfaction, not appeasement.”
In a video shared on X on Tuesday, April 9, Tejashwi Yadav can be observed eating fish with Mukesh Sahni on a helicopter, explaining that he only has a short window of 10-15 minutes to eat during campaigning.