Amid controversy over equating Hindutva with radical jihadi groups, Congress leader Salman Khurshid clarified that Hinduism is very beautiful and said there can be no greater insult than registering a complaint against someone from the BJP or the RSS.
“I have admired Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma. I hold it in the highest regard. But the way in which he has distorted religion and given it a completely new structure and definition, which has been described as Hindutva. (It) is something that is completely unacceptable for any decent person,” Khurshid told CNN-News18 in an interview.
The controversy started when Salman Khurshid in his new book ‘Sunrise Over Ayodhya’ compared Hindutva to radical jihadi groups like ISIS and Boko Haram. Responding to the statement, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “It reflects the true mindset of the Congress; They try to legitimize the radical elements of ISIS by creating artificial equality with Hindus.
A criminal complaint was filed against Salman Khurshid on Wednesday after a Delhi-based lawyer Vivek Garg urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to register a case against the Congress leader for defaming Hindutva and comparing it with terrorism.
“Hinduism is a very beautiful thing. There can be no greater disgrace on behalf of BJP or RSS than going to someone and complain… Do we have freedom in this country or not? Do we have freedom of thought, freedom of speech?” The Congress leader questioned.
On the analogy of Hindutva with ISIS and Boko Haram in the book, he said, “One should not speak up and there will be no argument. One should keep quiet and see what is happening in UP, Assam and Tripura. Our eyes and mouth Stop it. This is becoming a new India… We don’t subscribe to it.”
On the party’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh, he said, “Our politics is to fight them. If they distort religion and misuse religion… we will oppose it to the best of our ability.”
“If one turns away from Gandhi’s vision, he is not a Hindu. If anyone departs from the peaceful idea of Islam then it should be rejected,” he said.
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