New Delhi: Congress' senior leader and former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad reacted over the recent controversy that erupted on the new book of his party leader Salman Khurshid on Ayodhya verdict saying that comparing Hindutva with ISIS is "exaggeration". This comes on the day when a Delhi-based lawyer has filed a complaint against him, accusing the 68-year-old of comparing "Hindutva" with radical Islamic terror groups.
A passage in Salman Khurshid's new book named ''Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times'', read, "Sanatan Dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints were being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to the jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years."
In a statement released over this matter, Azad said, "In Mr Salman Khursheed’s new book, we may not agree with Hindutva as a political ideology distinct from the composite culture of Hinduism, but comparing Hindutva with ISIS and Jihadist Islam is factually wrong and an exaggeration."
Earlier today, BJP launched a scathing attack against Khurshid and demanded that Congress sack him from the party. During a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that the remarks not only "hurt the sentiments of Hindus but also deeply hurt the soul of India".
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also slammed the Congress, by tweeting, "A book comparing Hindutva to terror outfits ISIS and Boko Haram, is an attempt to demonise Hindu religion that has only spoken of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Half-baked information can get you book publicity but unnecessary consequences of hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus. Shame."
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