Shivraj Patil, a former Union home minister and stalwart of the Congress, recently asserted that the concept of “jihad” is mentioned not only in the Quran but also in the Bhagwad Gita and in Christianity, which has sparked debate.
At a book signing event in the capital on Thursday, Patil claimed that Arjun was also given jihadi principles by Lord Krishna in a section of the Mahabharata’s Gita. The BJP has criticised the Congress for “Hindu bigotry” and “votebank politics” in response to Patil’s comments.
“It’s said there is a lot of discussion on Jihad in Islam’s religion… Even after all these efforts, if someone doesn’t understand clean ideas, then power can be used. It is not just in the Quran Sharif, but also in the Mahabharata, of which Gita is a part,” Patil said.
“Shri Krishna also talks to Arjuna about jihad. It is not like this is only in the Quran Sharif or the Gita, but in Christianity it is also written… Christ has said that I have not come here to establish peace but I have come here with sword,” Patil added.
Speaking in Hindi, the Congress leader said that “if even after explaining everything, people do not understand and they are arriving with weapons, then you cannot run; you cannot call that jihad; you cannot call it wrong, this is what must be understood; there should not be this concept of making people understand with weapons in hand.”
At the book launch for Congress leader and former Union Minister Mohsina Kidwai, Patil, who served as the Union’s home minister from 2004 to 2008 and as Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996, addressed the crowd. Shashi Tharoor, Digvijaya Singh, Farooq Abdullah, and Sushil Kumar Shinde were among the prominent dignitaries in attendance during the event.
In the meantime, the BJP has criticised the Congress’ “votebank politics.”
“After AAP’s Gopal Italia and Rajendra Pal, not to be outdone in Hindu hatred and votebank politics, Congress’ Shivraj Patil says Shri Krishna taught “Jihad” to Arjun! Congress coined Hindu/Saffron terror, opposed Ram Mandir, questioned Ram JI’s existence, said Hindutva = ISIS,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted.