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Is Hinduism about beating a Sikh or a Muslim? Hindutva of course is, says Rahul; BJP hits back

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 11/13/2021 11:50:25 AM

Wardha, Nov 12 Addressing an All India Congress Committee (AICC) orientation programme on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew a distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva. He said, “We say there is a difference between Hindutva and Hindu religion. It is a simple logic - if you are a Hindu then why do you need Hindutva? Why do you need this new name?" He added, “Is Hinduism about beating a Sikh or a Muslim? Hindutva, of course, is. In which [Hindu] book is it written? I have not seen it. I have read the Upanishads. I have not read it.” Responding to Rahul Gandhi's statement, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "It is very sad that the Congress party is attacking Hindutva." He added, "Salman Khurshid compares Boko Haram and ISIS with Hinduism. Shashi Tharoor says 'Hindu Taliban'. Leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Mani Shankar Aiyar use words like 'saffron terrorism' against Hinduism. This is no coincidence. It is Rahul Gandhi, the leader, who has taught the others to make such statements against Hinduism." At the four-day AICC programme held at Sevagram Ashram in Wardha, Rahul Gandhi also stated on Friday that the Congress party's ideology is like a "beautiful jewel" with an unending power inside it, but it has been overshadowed by the BJP which has "spread hatred in today's India".