Pictures shared by Salman Khurshid on Facebook show flames rising at his Nainital home
New Delhi:
Parliament leader Salman Khurshid’s Nainital residence was vandalized and on fire today, days after his new book on Ayodhya spark a controversy by drawing a parallel between “Hindutva” and radical Muslim groups.
Photos shared by Khurshid on Facebook showed flames rising, doors burned and windows shattered at his Nainital home. Two men were seen trying to put out the fire by throwing water.
Sharing the image, the National Assembly leader said in a post, “I hope to open these doors for my friends who have left this calling card. I’m still wrong to say that this can’t be Hinduism?”
– Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) November 15, 2021
The former Union Minister has been in the spotlight since the launch of his new book, ”Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times”. At the heart of the controversy is a passage that reads, “Classical Sanatan and Hindu Buddhism known to sages and saints has been cast aside by a forceful version of Hindutva, according to by all standards, a political version similar to the Islamic jihad of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years.”
To put it bluntly, the BJP said Mr Khurshid’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of Hindus and alleged that Congress was using “community politics” to funnel Muslim votes.
At moment later, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sought to distinguish between “Hinduism” and “Hindutva” and the BJP, in a scathing response, said Mr Gandhi and his party had a “sick hatred” for Hinduism.
Mr Khurshid also faced some criticism from within his party, with Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad termed his “exaggeration” parallel “Hindutva”.
“We may not agree with Hindutva as a political ideology but comparing it to ISIS and Islamic Jihad is false and exaggerated,” Mr. Azad said.
A lawyer in Delhi has also filed a lawsuit against Mr. Khurshid, also a prominent jurist.
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