“Call Me Hindu”: Kerala Governor Quotes Founder Of Aligarh Muslim University

Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday recalled the words of Aligarh Muslim University founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who was said to have urged him to be called a “Hindu” a century ago.

Speaking at a Hindu convention in Thiruvananthapuram, the governor referred to Sir Syed Khan’s alleged words that “you must call me a Hindu” which he made during an Arya Samaj meeting.

The Governor of Kerala said that Sir Syed was welcomed by the members of the society on completing his term in the Legislative Council during the colonial rule.

Recalling the reformer-educationist’s words, Mr Khan said he had asked members of the society why they did not call him Hindu and clarified that he did not consider “Hindu” a religious term.

“But, my serious complaint against you (members of the Arya Samaj) is that why don’t you call me Hindu? I do not consider Hindu a religious term… Hindu is a geographical term,” the governor recalled Syed Ahmed Where did you go? Khan’s words.

Anyone who is born in India, anyone who lives on food produced in India, anyone who drinks water from India’s rivers is entitled to call himself a Hindu and therefore “you should call me Hindu”, Khan said. Said the words of the founder of Aligarh University.

Arif Mohammad Khan also said that it was “absolutely fine” to use terminology such as Hindu, Muslim and Sikh during the colonial era as the British made communities the basis for deciding the general rights of citizens.

The conclave was organized by the Kerala Hindu Sanghatana of North America (KHNA).

Union Minister V Muraleedharan attended the valedictory session of the conference held at the Mascot Hotel here.

He alleged that there is a conspiracy going on in the state to make us feel that it is wrong to say that I am a Hindu.

He said that even before independence, the kings and rulers of the country who believed in Sanatan Dharma had accepted all religious groups with an open heart.

He said that the way the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is opening doors for the victims of persecution in neighboring countries.

The Union Minister also stressed on the need to bring all those who believe in “Sanatan Dharma” under one roof. PTI LGK LGK LGK SS SS