Battle erupts over Sanatan and Hindutva; Digvijaya Singh makes a major statement

Bhopal. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh has once again made a sharp attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) regarding Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma. He defended his comment that Hindutva was a hateful ideology and said that Sanatan Dharma and political Hindutva cannot be considered the same. According to him, the basic message of Sanatan Dharma is the spirit of love, harmony, tolerance and welfare of the entire world. After this statement of Digvijay Singh, a new controversy has arisen in the politics of Madhya Pradesh and BJP leaders have opened a front against him. These days Digvijay Singh is taking out ‘Satya Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra’ of about 1,000 kilometers from Ujjain to Ayodhya. During this trip, he raised questions on the concept of Hindutva while addressing journalists and common people in Guna and Raghogarh. He alleged that BJP and its affiliated organizations are presenting Sanatan Dharma from their political perspective. The Congress leader clarified that he believes in Sanatan Dharma, but is opposed to the political interpretation of Hindutva, which he considers to create division in the society.
Digvijay Singh said in his statement that Sanatan Dharma teaches to respect all religions and consider the whole world as one family. He targeted RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, alleging that these organizations use religious identity for political purposes. Linking Hindutva to spreading hatred, he said it is important to understand the difference between religious faith and political ideology. The Congress leader claimed that the real spirit of Sanatan Dharma lies in humanity, compassion and brotherhood. He said that the idea of ​​’Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ in Indian culture gives the message of considering the whole world as one family. According to him, the purpose of Sanatan Dharma is not to create enmity towards any other religion or community, but to wish for the welfare of all. Digvijay Singh had earlier in Shajapur also described Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma as separate. He had claimed that the political concept of Hindutva was put forward by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. He said that it is not appropriate to connect thousands of years old Sanatan tradition with modern political ideology. However, various political and religious organizations have different interpretations regarding the historical and ideological relationship between Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma.
BJP has given a strong reaction to Digvijay Singh’s statement. Madhya Pradesh government minister Vishwas Sarang accused the Congress leader of defaming Hindu religion and Sanatan tradition. He said that Digvijay Singh’s journey is going to create division instead of uniting the society. Sarang alleged that Congress leaders are continuously making such statements which can hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu society. The BJP leader described Digvijay Singh’s comments as an attempt to gain political mileage. He raised the question on what basis are Congress leaders interpreting Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma. According to Sarang, Hindutva is linked to Indian culture and Sanatan traditions and it is wrong to link it with hatred. Madhya Pradesh BJP’s media in-charge Brij Gopal Loya also criticized Digvijay Singh’s statement. He alleged that Congress leaders are continuously making comments against Hindutva. BJP says that it is not appropriate to make Hindu traditions and religious symbols a subject of political controversy. Party leaders have demanded Digvijay Singh to reconsider his statements.
On the other hand, Digvijay Singh is describing his ‘Satya Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra’ as a campaign related to religious and social awareness. He has given two main objectives of the journey. First, to make people aware to protect democratic values ​​and constitutional institutions and second, to present his interpretation of Sanatan Dharma before the public. During the yatra, Digvijay Singh also reached his home town Raghogarh. Here he was welcomed by his son and Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh and other family members. In the meeting organized on this occasion, he expressed his views on issues like religious tolerance, democracy and social harmony. He also raised old questions related to the Ram Mandir movement and the donations collected for the construction of the temple. Referring to Mahant Laldas, Digvijay Singh questioned the financial transparency related to Ram Temple. However, independent verification of his allegations and the figures given is necessary. From the point of view of political analysis, this statement of Digvijay Singh
This is important because religion and Hindutva have long been major topics of political discussion in Madhya Pradesh. BJP links Hindutva with its ideological identity, whereas within the Congress, different leaders have been expressing different opinions regarding the difference between religious faith and political Hindutva. Digvijay Singh’s latest statement has once again intensified this ideological debate. While Congress leaders are describing their remarks as an interpretation of the basic spirit of Sanatan Dharma, BJP is calling it an attack on Hindu faith. At present, a round of allegations and counter-allegations is going on between the two parties. Digvijay Singh is busy spreading his message to the public through his journey. In such a situation, due to his statements and BJP’s reactions in the coming days, the debate of Hindutva versus Sanatan Dharma in the politics of the state is likely to intensify.