Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday stirred a row after he alleged that ‘Manuvada’ and ‘Hindutva’ encourage murder, violence and discrimination.
Speaking in Kalaburagi during the launch of a book, Siddaramaiah said that he is not an anti-Hindu but he is against 'Hindutva'. The former CM said he is also a Hindu who follows Hindu Dharma but stands against Hindutva.
“Hindutva and Hindu Dharma are different. I’m always projected as anti-Hindu and anti-Hindu Dharma. I’m not anti-Hindu Dharma. I’m also a Hindu, but I’m anti-Manuvada and Hindutva,” Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “Does any religion encourage murder or violence? But Manuvada and Hindutva encourage murder, violence and discrimination. That’s the difference between Hindu Dharma and Hindutva.” The Leader of Opposition had earlier too made his anti-Hindutva stands clear.
(with PTI inputs)