Raipur
A political war of words has intensified in Chhattisgarh ahead of the Hareli festival. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel‘s residence in Raipur will host a Hareli celebration, drawing sharp criticism from Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao. Sao accused the Congress of “looting the public in the name of culture and tradition.”
Responding to the Deputy Chief Minister’s statement, former minister Dr. Shiv Dahariya hit back, stating the Congress government had promoted Chhattisgarh’s traditions and festivals. Dahariya asserted that the Hareli festival has been celebrated “since before Arun Sao was even born.” The Congress will observe Hareli across all districts and blocks in the state on Thursday.
Congress Cheated Public in Name of Festivals: Sao
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao questioned the cultural and traditional affiliations of the Congress party. “They should also declare their leaders’ ideology,” he said. Sao claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has enhanced Chhattisgarh’s prestige, citing the BJP government’s decision to grant Chhattisgarhi the status of a state language.
“The state has progressed rapidly and the lives of Chhattisgarh residents have changed,” Sao said. He further alleged that the Congress, during its five-year tenure, had “only cheated the public in the name of festivals.” He added that the people of the state know that “such displays and theatrics will not achieve anything.” Sao also mentioned that people celebrate Hareli in their respective villages.
Hareli Celebrated Before Arun Sao’s Birth: Dahariya
Senior Congress leader and former minister Dr. Shivkumar Dahariya strongly reacted to the Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks. He accused the BJP of deliberately issuing such statements. Dr. Dahariya reiterated that the Congress party has worked to promote Chhattisgarh’s culture, traditions, and festivals, highlighting Hareli as the first festival of Chhattisgarh.
“The Hareli festival has been celebrated since before Arun Sao was born. This is our old tradition,” Dr. Dahariya stated, adding that the Congress aims to strengthen these traditions, which were also observed during their government’s tenure.
He emphasised that the Congress government promoted every festival and has consistently worked to advance Chhattisgarh’s traditions, culture, and farmer-centric ethos. Hareli is a festival celebrated across the state, and the Congress party is marking it at every district and block level. A Hareli festival is also organised at Bhupesh Baghel’s residence on Thursday.
Hareli Celebrations at Bhupesh Baghel’s Residence
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel‘s official residence in Raipur will host traditional Hareli celebrations this year. The event will include the worship of cows, bulls, and agricultural tools, symbolic ploughing, Chhattisgarhi folk music, and traditional games. A large number of Congress workers are expected to participate in the event.
