New Delhi: When BJP attacked Congress leader Salman Khurshid accusing him of comparing Hindutva to jihadi organisations, Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad took a dig at the controversy for the “factually incorrect” comparison by ally Khurshid.
“We may not agree with Hindutva as a separate political ideology from the mixed culture of Hinduism, but comparing it to ISIS and Jihadi Islam is factually incorrect and an exaggeration,” Azad said. The alleged comparison is with former law minister Khurshid’s book “Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times”, which was released at a function on Wednesday. The book is about the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict, which Khurshid has appreciated.
Azad’s decision to distance himself from Khurshid is interesting as both have been longtime allies in the party and the central government. But it could also signal unease in some ranks of the party, as such controversies feed the rival BJP’s campaign to paint the Congress as “anti-Hindu”.
When asked about Azad’s statement, Khurshid said, “Azad is an experienced man. His statement is looked at carefully.” He added that there is not much difference between his and Azad’s stand. “He has also said that he disagrees with that ideology while I have explained why we disagree with it. That’s all,” Khurshid said.