Iltija Mufti Criticizes Hindutva, BJP Leaders Demand Apology

The PDP leader distinguishes Hindutva from Hinduism, calling the former a divisive ideology, while BJP leaders defend Hindutva as inclusive and accuse her of stoking tensions.

• Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, described Hindutva as a 'disease' and criticized its association with violence against minorities.
• Mufti emphasized a distinction between Hindutva and Hinduism, portraying the latter as a religion of secularism, compassion, and love, while labeling Hindutva as a philosophy rooted in hate and Hindu hegemony.
• Her remarks were made in response to an alleged incident where Muslim boys were attacked for refusing to chant 'Jai Shri Ram,' which she claimed distorts the ideals of Hinduism.
• BJP leaders, including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Ravinder Raina, condemned her statements, defending Hindutva as a unifying and inclusive philosophy and demanding an apology for her 'derogatory' language.
• The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over the political and social implications of Hindutva in India, with differing interpretations fueling debate on its role in society.

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