BJP, Congress spar over Satish Jarkiholi’s ‘hindu’ remark, Minister ready to resign

After Karnataka Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi said that the word “Hindu” is a Persian word and did not originate in India, Union minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the Karnataka Congress working president for his remark on the word ‘Hindu’. Condemning Jarkiholi’s remarks, Thakur said it has become a habit for the Congress and AAP to demean Hindus and insult Hindu Gods and Goddesses. “Only during elections do they remember Gods and goddesses. The rest of the time, they (Congress and the AAP) keep abusing them,” Thakur said.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge Arun Singh also hit back at the Congress, saying that the latter has defamed the country’s ancient culture.
Launching into Congress over Jarkiholi’s statement, Singh said, “Congress always speaks badly of our ancient culture. Satish Jarkiholi defamed our ancient culture. It’s highly condemnable. People will give a befitting reply.” Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi on Monday said that the word “Hindu” is a Persian word that means “horrible” and asked why people place it on a high pedestal.
“Where has the word ‘Hindu’ come from? It has come from Persia…So, what is its relation with India? How’s ‘Hindu’ yours? Check on WhatsApp, and Wikipedia, the term isn’t yours. Why do you want to put it on a pedestal?… Its meaning is horrible,” Jarkiholi said at an event in Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
Karnataka’s chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, also condemned Jarkiholi’s statement and demanded an apology from the Congress.
At Udupi, Bommai said Jarkiholi’s remarks were not incidental and were made with the purpose of luring the votes of minority communities. Karnataka Chief Minister said that leader has delivered a “deadly blow” to the faith and confidence on which religion is based.
“Technically, he has been mentioned as Hindu in all his school and college certificates. Beliefs have been for several centuries and discussion on such issues is like hurting the sentiments of people,” he added.
While the Congress has condemned Jarkiholi’s remark, the Karnataka Congress working president said there was nothing wrong with what he said before.
“Let everyone prove I am wrong. If I am wrong, I will resign as MLA and not just apologise for my statement,” Jarkiholi said on Tuesday.