Nitin Gadkari Critiques Congress on Secularism and Hindu-Muslim Issues
Gadkari's Remarks on Secularism and Political Dynamics
On Tuesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed that the Congress party's interpretation of secularism and its focus on vote bank politics have contributed to ongoing Hindu-Muslim tensions in the country. Speaking at an event, he clarified that the English term 'secular' translates to 'equal respect for all religions' in Hindi, emphasizing 'justice for everyone, without appeasement,' contrary to Congress's portrayal.
The former BJP president remarked, 'Since 1947, Congress has had the opportunity to govern the nation. Based on their ideology, they sowed certain seeds... Various Hindu-Muslim issues have emerged post-independence.'
He asserted that the problems faced today stem from Congress's definition of secularism, which he believes has perpetuated these issues. Gadkari urged attendees to refer to the dictionary for the true meaning of secularism, which he stated is not synonymous with 'religious neutrality.' Instead, it signifies equal treatment of all faiths without favoritism.
The senior BJP leader lamented that the political challenges arising from the concept of secularism since 1947 continue to trouble the nation. He attributed these issues to the policies adopted by Congress under the guise of vote bank politics.
Gadkari made these comments while addressing the launch of Uday Mahurkar's book, 'My Idea of Nation First: Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism.' He emphasized the importance of remembering historical mistakes to prevent their recurrence in the future.
Echoing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gadkari affirmed, 'India is a secular nation, was secular, and will remain secular.' He clarified that this is not due to the BJP or RSS but is rooted in Indian culture, Hindu traditions, and eternal values that promote the welfare of the world.
Indirectly targeting the Nehru-Gandhi family, Gadkari stated, 'We never say, let my welfare or my family's welfare be prioritized.' He noted that throughout history, there is no record of Hindu kings destroying places of worship belonging to other religions, attributing this to the inherent values of Indian culture, which he described as non-expansionist and non-authoritarian.