Meaning of Word Hindu ‘Horrible’, K'taka Cong Leader Stirs Row; Party Slams ‘Unfortunate’ Remarks

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Satish Laxmanrao Jarkiholi sparked a row as he claimed that the word ‘Hindu’ hails from Persia and not India. Not only this, he called the word “horrible” and asked what is its relation with India. He was speaking during an event in Belagavi district on Sunday, when he made the remark.

“Where has ‘Hindu’ term come from? It’s come from Persia…So, what is its relation with India? How’s ‘Hindu’ yours? Check on WhatsApp, Wikipedia, term isn’t yours. Why do you want to put it on a pedestal?…Its meaning is horrible,” Jarkiholi could be heard saying in the viral video.

Later, Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala condemned Jarkiholi’s remarks on behalf of the party. He defended Hinduism saying its a way of life and a civilisational reality. Congress built India to respect every religion, belief and faith, he said.

“The statement attributed to Satish Jarkiholi is deeply unfortunate & deserves to be rejected. We condemn it unequivocally,” he said in a tweet.

The video was widely shared on social media, drawing oppostion from people as well as the BJP. Senior BJP leader Shehzad Poonwalla took to Twitter to slam the remarks made by Jarkiholi and said the video provokes and insults Hindus. “This is not a Sanyog but a Votebank Ka Udyog. From Hindu terror to Opposing Ram Mandir to Linking Gita with Jihad,” he tweeted.

In the past, Jarkiholi also served as forest minister in the previous Congress government in Karnataka.

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