Indore: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asserted that the Congress was a party of Hinduism and that he is a “nationalistic leader” who respects every religion.
Interacting with journalists, professionals and members of the business community in Indore, the business hub of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Gandhi said, “No, I am not a Hindutva leader. I am a nationalistic leader who represents every section, every caste, every faith, every language and every region.”
“Hinduism and Hindutva are different things. Hinduism is open-minded, progressive, free-thinking. Hinduism is completely opposed to anger, hatred and violence,” he observed.
“The foundation of the BJP’s Hindutva is based on hatred, anger, insecurity. Whereas the Hindu religion is based on self-confidence, self-belief, respect for others, listening to others and embracing others... so we [the Congress] are not a Hindutva party but a party of Hinduism,” he asserted. Mr. Gandhi started his tour of Madhya Pradesh on Monday with prayers at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple.