A Congress MLA from Chhattisgarh waded headfirst into controversy on Friday after stressing the need for a Hindu Rashtra to be formed. The remarks have sparked discussion with party leaders distancing themselves from the lawmaker. The Congress has insisted that it swears by the Constitution and secularism, and that the remarks were “personal views”.
“Wherever we are, be it in a village or any place we should pledge and talk for Hindus. When we Hindus come together then only Hindu Rashtra can be created,” Dharsiwa MLA Anita Yogendra Sharma reportedly said in the local language. The assertion came during an event in Raipur to mark the birth anniversary of Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati.
According to a Hindustan Times report on the matter, Sharma had urged “all of us” to “pledge to make a Hindu Rashtra”.
She however later told reporters that her statement had been misinterpreted. “I was only talking about the unity of people who live in the country,” she said.
“The Congress party stands with the Constitution. It is firm on secularism that is mentioned in the Constitution drafted by leaders like Babasaheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad,” insisted party leader Sushil Anand Shukla as the controversial remark made waves.
Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Kedar Gupta said if the Congress supports the Uniform Civil Code, which he claimed was in the pipeline, then “Ram Rajya will prevail as the UCC will end the appeasement politics”.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Updated: 17 Jun 2023, 10:01 PM IST
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