On Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sparked controversy by criticising Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who took a holy dip in the Sangam at Prayagraj. Kharge remarked that even after 100 births, Shah would not make it to heaven.

The BJP responded strongly to the remark, calling Congress "anti-Hindu" and questioning whether the party would dare to insult other religions the way they have allegedly been disrespecting Sanatan traditions for years. During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, Shah travelled to Prayagraj on Monday to take a sacred dip in Triveni Sangam. He prayed to God throughout the event while accompanied by several Hindu saints and seers. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have committed so many sins together that they won’t be able to go to heaven even in 100 lifelines," said Kharge while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow.

Speaking at a public event in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Kharge stated, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have committed so many sins together that they won't be able to go to heaven even in 100 lifelines." "BJP leaders are in a competition, taking the holy dip as part of a race," Kharge said, intensifying his criticism of BJP leaders taking the holy dip at the Sangam. “Arre bhai, Ganga mein dubki lene se garibi dur hoti hai kya? (By taking a dip in Ganga, will poverty be eradicated? Do you get food by taking a dip" he asked the gathering. 

Kharge quickly realised the effect of his words and apologised for any unintentional offence they may have caused to the religious feelings of those at the rally. BJP leader Sambit Patra responded swiftly to the Congress chief's comments about Shah and other BJP leaders, calling the Congress party ‘anti-Hindu.’ “Such a statement against Sanatan is very shameful. Congress is mocking the sentiments of Hindus and Sanatan. The whole congress should apologise for Kharge’s remark," Patra said while addressing a press conference. Just hours before heading to Prayagraj, the Home Minister described Mahakumbh as a remarkable symbol of the continuous and timeless Sanatan culture.

“Kumbh reflects our eternal philosophy of life-based on harmony. Today, I am eager to take a dip in the confluence and seek the blessings of the saints in this great festival of unity and integrity in the holy city of Prayagraj," he added. Shah's holy dip at the Sangam comes just days after the entire Uttar Pradesh cabinet, led by Yogi Adityanath, also took a holy dip there. The Maha Kumbh is seeing a massive crowd of devotees and pilgrims during the two-month-long festival. On Makar Sankranti alone, over 3.5 crore people, including seers and saints, took a dip in the Sangam.