Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 12 (HBTV): Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Sunday drew a clear distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva, describing them as separate ideological frameworks, during a debate organised by the Calcutta Debating Circle.
Participating in the discussion on the theme ‘Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva’ at the Calcutta Club, Moitra said Hindutva, as a political platform, asserts itself as the only correct path, while Hinduism, as a religion and spiritual tradition, allows space for multiple interpretations and ways of life.
She argued that within Hinduism, a practitioner can imagine love between Hindus and Muslims, whereas a follower of Hindutva would reject such a relationship by labelling it as ‘love jihad’. Moitra also cited cultural practices, stating that while a Bengali Hindu may eat meat and offer it to Maa Kaali, a Hindutva practitioner would object to such practices.
‘Hindutva believes that as a political platform, mine is the only way, and Hinduism believes as a religion and a spiritual platform that there is room for a lot of others along the way. A Hindu practitioner in Hinduism can imagine love between Hindus and Muslims, but a Hindutva practitioner will say, no, this is love jihad,’ she said, adding that Hinduism can best be protected by recognising that Hindutva emerged only because Hinduism already existed.
Earlier in the debate, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasised what he described as a complementary relationship between Hinduism and Hindutva. He said Hindutva represents ‘Hindu tattva’, which he termed the core essence of Hinduism, and argued that Hinduism is unique among religions in allowing debate even on its sacred texts.
‘Which culture gives you the authority to debate even on religious texts? It is only Hindu. When you cherish Hinduism, it is called Hindutva,’ Trivedi said, asserting that the concept strengthens rather than undermines Hinduism.
The debate, held at the Lawns of the Calcutta Club, was attended by several prominent figures, including J. Sai Deepak, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Mahua Moitra, Ruchika Sharma and Sudhanshu Trivedi. (ANI)