Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said Hindutva ideology being pursued by the Bharatiya Janata Party is all about beating a Sikh, or a Muslim.
“Is Hinduism about beating a Sikh, or a Muslim?” Of course not, but Hindutva is, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in an address to his party workers and leaders, irking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been trying to present Hindu religion and the political ideology of Hindutva as one and the same.
Addressing a four-day Congress orientation programme in Sevagram Ashram, Wardha, in Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi drew a clear distinction between Hinduism and the RSS-BJP’s Hindutva. He said the Congress’ ideology is like a “beautiful jewel” with unending power, while the ruling party’s ideology is being used to spread “hatred”.
The Congress leader said in today’s India, the ideological fight has become very important and urged party leaders to learn themselves and train others in what it means to be a Congress leader.
Recalling his conversation with former Uttarakhand minister Yashpal Arya, who returned to the party fold last month, Rahul Gandhi said Arya told him for a Congressman, it is very suffocating to survive in the BJP.
His comments come ahead of crucial Assembly polls which usually see a lot of movement of leaders from one party to another. Elections are due in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, in 2022.—INP
