Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader in Karnataka Satish Laxmanrao Jarkiholi stirred up fresh controversy after claiming that the word "Hindu" has a vulgar meaning and has its origin in Persia, NDTV reported.
In a video, he could be seen asking where the word Hindu originated. He said it is from Persian and from the region of Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan etc. He asked what connection the word Hindu has with India and said that the word could not be accepted.
"The word Hindu, where did it originate from? Is it ours? It's Persian, from the region of Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. What is the connection of the word Hindu with India? Then how can you accept it? This should be debated," NDTV quoted him from his speech at an event in Karnataka's Belagavi district.
He further said that one would be ashamed to know the meaning of the word Hindu and it was vulgar. He suggested his audience check Wikipedia to know where it originated.
The ruling BJP has slammed the Congress leader, alleging that his statement was an insult and provocation to the Hindu community. The video is still circulating on social media.
Jharkiholi is of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee's working president. He was a former minister in the state.