There's a question mark over the origin of Hinduism: Karnataka Minister
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Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara
A Karnataka minister has stated that there is a question mark over the origin of Hinduism, even as the controversy over Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's comment on Sanatana Dharma continues to simmer.
On Tuesday, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated nobody knows when or who gave birth to the Hindu religion while speaking at a Teachers' Day ceremony in the Tumkur district, NDTV reported.
"World history shows the emergence of numerous religions. But nobody knows when the Hindu religion was born and who gave birth to the Hindu religion. The question mark still remains. Nobody has removed the question mark on that," Mr Parameshwara said.
"Buddhism was born here, Jainism was born here and Islam and Christianity came from outside to this country. All religions speak of doing good for mankind," he added.
In the meantime, Mr Stalin has been named in a First Information Report filed in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly inflaming religious sentiments. Priyank Kharge, the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and a second minister from Karnataka were also mentioned in the FIR.
Two lawyers who claimed that Mr Stalin's remarks had offended their religious sensibilities filed the complaint.
Priyank Kharge said any religion that does not grant equal rights is not a religion and "is as good as a disease" after MrStalin's remark caused controversy.
"Any religion that does not promote equality, any religion that doesn't ensure that you have the dignity of being a human being is not a religion, according to me. So it is as good as a disease," he had said.
MrStalin has stated that he is prepared to take on any cases and has declined to apologise for his remarks. He claimed that he spoke for those who were marginalised and persecuted and who "suffer due to Sanatana Dharma."
The BJP condemned the Tamil Nadu minister's remarks and compared them to a "call for genocide," a claim that he strongly denied.
On Tuesday, Mr. Stalin stood by his position and said that the Center's decision to not invite President Droupadi Murmu to the new parliament's inauguration was an instance of Sanatana caste discrimination.