Arvind Kejriwal's Vamana Jayanti greetings ahead of Onam irk Malayalees

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced the ire of people of Kerala after he took to social media to greet people on the occasion of Vamana Jayanti.

“Best wishes to all of you on the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. May the grace of Lord Vishnu be with you all the time,” the Delhi chief minister wrote on social media.

Vamana Jayanti is celebrated to mark the occasion of Lord Vishnu taking the form (avatar) of Lord Vamana to defeat King Mahabali. This year, the event falls on August 29, two days ahead of the celebration of the festival of Onam in Kerala. The festival of Onam commemorates the return of mythical demon king Mahabali—who was vanquished by Lord Vamana—to see his beloved subjects at the beginning of 'Chingam', the first month of the Malayalam calendar. Despite the Hindu myth behind it, the festival is celebrated by people across religions.

Kejriwal's Vamana Jayanti wishes did not go down well with people of Kerala who reminded him that Mahabali is considered as a great king by people of Kerala and the festival of Onam is celebrated to commemorate his return every year to visit his people.

A few years ago, Vamana Jayanti greetings Amit Shah, who was then the BJP national president, had led to people of Keala rebuking him and demanding that the controversial greeting should be withdrawn. They had also sought an apology from Shah.

Congress MP from Kerala, Hibi Eden, called AAP team B of BJP and said Keralaites “deserve” this for the “enthusiasm they showed to vote for AAP and Kejariwal.”

“All Malayalees deserve this...for the enthusiasm they showed to vote for AAP and Kejariwal...freebies come and go but culture, history, traditions can't be distorted like this...BJP and AAP does the same when it comes to this...B team of BJP,” Eden tweeted.

“Every Onam, every North Indian politician reminds us why we are an entirely different culture that they don’t understand, pronounce or appreciate; and they make the best case ever for a federal india, states autonomous and as distant as possible from Delhi,” wrote one user.

Someone reminded him that a few years ago, Shah had done the same. "2017 it was BJP who insulted Keralites & now it’s Kejriwal doing the same. FYI Onam is celebrated in the memory of Asura King Mahabali. His rule was ao good that even Vishnu got jealous of him and pushed him to the underground Don’t try to Brahminise Onam.”

How's your friend Amit, asked another user.