‘Stop targeting Hindu festivals, economy’: VHP to opposition at November 1 rally

The remarks came a day after traders staged a protest at the Kashmir Gate in New Delhi, demanding that the Congress postpone the November 1 rally until after Diwali. File. | Photo credit: ANI

The VHP on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) accused the Congress and other opposition parties of conspiring to disrupt Hindu festivals and damage the country’s economy during the INDIA block rally on November 1 at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.

In a post on X, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said that Congress leaders rejected the traders’ call to postpone the rally, saying they would easily cancel it if the appeal came from certain other groups.

“INDI leaders must give up conspiracy targeting Hindu festivals and economy in the name of protests. The call to postpone the November 1 rally came from traders, so it was rejected,” he wrote.

He also pointed out that the same day falls on the festival of Ahoi Ashtami, during which mothers observe a fast for the well-being and longevity of their children.

The remarks came a day after traders staged a protest at the Kashmir Gate in New Delhi, demanding that the Congress postpone the November 1 rally until after Diwali.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Brijesh Goyal said they will write to all parties in the INDIA bloc on the issue.

Traders also wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi urging them to reschedule the rally, citing fears that security measures, road closures and traffic diversions could disrupt business in major markets during the festive season.

But Mr Gandhi, in a post on X on Monday (Oct 26, 2026), said the protests would “stop in 30 seconds” if traders told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the “vote chori” issue.

The opposition rally aims to put pressure on the government and demand the resignation of the CEC over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls.

“Beware! This triple C gang (Congress, Communists and Communalists) is laying a trap from all sides to destroy traders’ shops, Hindu faith and prosperity of festivals and also cripple the country’s economy,” Bansal said.

He alleged that conspiracies were being hatched to undermine the celebrations and prosperity associated with major Hindu festivals, adding that similar attempts were made during Navratri and Dussehra and were now targeting Diwali.

“The people of the country, especially the Hindu community, must remain vigilant against individuals and organizations who are constantly following the anti-Hindu path,” he said.

Mr. Bansal argued that the opposition leaders would fail in their alleged attempts to harm Hindu society and the Indian economy.

“Indian leaders must also remember this: No matter how hard you try, the society will surely react when the time comes to your conspiracies to harm the Hindu society and Indian economy. They will never allow your anti-India and anti-Hindu conspiracies to succeed,” he said.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 12:14 IST