‘Unaware Of India’s Culture’: BJP Calls Out Iltija Mufti For ‘Hindutva A Disease’ Remark

Last Updated:December 09, 2024, 09:13 IST

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, stirred a political row with her remarks on Hindutva.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday lashed out at People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti over her recent “Hindutva is a disease” remark, saying that those “unaware of India’s culture and heritage must be given a lesson on Sanatana culture once again.”

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, stirred a political row with her remarks on Hindutva, which came as she reacted to a video of 3 minor boys being forced to chant religious slogans in Madhya Pradesh went viral on social media. CNN-News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

“Ram the deity must hang his head in shame and watch helplessly as minor Muslim boys are whacked with chappals only because they refuse to chant his name. Hindutva is a disease that’s afflicted millions of Indians & sullied God’s name,” Iltija Mufti said reacting to the viral video.

Submitting a sharp response to Mufti’s remark, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Those who are unaware of India’s culture and heritage need to be given a message about Sanatana culture once again. Hindutva gives a message of taking all sections of society together and moving forward with inclusive thinking.”

“There is no need to give any knowledge about this. Some people have developed a phobia of Hindutva and those with such a phobia should study about it once,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by India Today.

‘Mufti Must Apologise’

BJP leader Ravindra Raina also reacted to Mufti’s remark on Hindutva and said that the language used by the PDP leader was “derogatory” and asked her to submit an apology for the comment.

“PDP leader has used a very derogatory language. This kind of language should not be used. There might be differences of opinion in politics but derogatory language should not be used…PDP leader Iltija Mufti should apologise for her remarks,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

West Bengal BJP leader and MLA Agnimitra Paul also slammed the PDP leader, alleging her family of consistently speaking out against India and Hindutva.

“Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter always speak against India. Recently, Mehbooba Mufti compared Gaza and Bangladesh to India, and now Iltija Mufti is comparing Islam with Hinduism. This is an insult to both religions,” Paul said.

Mufti Clarifies Her Remark

After facing backlash over her remark from the BJP leaders, Iltija Mufti clarified her statement, drawing a difference between Hindutva and Hinduism.

“This is an India of Mahatma Gandhi. I have spoken against Hindutva, not Hinduism. I have spoken against Veer Savarkar’s philosophy that India is only for Hindus. I know Hinduism is a religion that promotes peace and compassion. I am against Hindutva as it is a disease that needs to be weeded out.”

In the recently held assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, she contested from the Bijbehara seat. She lost the election to her National Conference rival, Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri.

Location :

Jammu and Kashmir, India