Hindutva incites killings, says Siddu; BJP sees red

BJP's CT Ravi reacted to the Congress bigwig’s allegation with an SC judgement’s defi nition of Hindutva. “The SC has said that Hindutva is a way of life. But you are peddling lies that Hindutva supports murder," he said

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah stirred a hornet’s nest by claiming that “Manuvada” and “Hindutva” encouraged murder and discrimination.

The former CM, referring to the author of Manusmriti, added that the Hindutva ideology flew in the face of the Constitution. He made the comment on Sunday night at a book release in Kalaburagi but the remark started doing the rounds on Monday with many latching on to it as proof of Siddaramaiah being “anti-Hindu”. However, the CLP insisted that he was himself a Hindu and was merely opposed to Hindutva ideology.

“Hindutva is different from Hindu dharma. I am often projected as being anti-Hindu. I am not anti-Hindu since I am a Hindu as well. However, I am opposed to manuvada and Hindutva. Most of us here are only against manuvada and Hindutva and not against the Hindu faith. Is there a religion in which there is scope for murder and violence? It could be any religion. In manuvada or Hindutva, however, there is scope for murder, violence and discrimination,” Siddaramaiah said.

BJP national general secretary CT Ravi reacted to the Congress bigwig’s allegation with a SC judgement’s definition of Hindutva.

“The SC has said that Hindutva is a way of life. But you are peddling lies that Hindutva supports murder. Why is it that you always talk the language of tyrants and barbarians? Has too much of Tipu Sultan worshipping made you lose your sanity?” he tweeted.

A few weeks ago, Siddaramaiah had drawn the ire of BJP leaders for likening PM Narendra Modi to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and Spanish military ruler Francisco Franco. The saffron party on its part has been relentlessly targeting the Congress leader ever since his Siddaramaiahotsava birthday bash drew crowds numbering lakhs in Davangere back in August last year.

BJP sees the LOP’s popularity as a threat since Assembly elections are due in May. Siddaramaiah on the other hand, has had to walk the tight rope of expressing his Ambedkarite views for which he has earned the mass support of BCs while not offending Hindu sensibilities.