Congress’s “Hindu vs Hindutva”: What Rahul Gandhi Said Before Mani Shankar Aiyar

Before Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar sparked controversy over Hinduism and Hindutva, party leaders—including Rahul Gandhi—had already made several provocative remarks on the topic. These attempts to differentiate Hinduism from Hindutva have often stirred political debates and backlash.

Rahul Gandhi’s Stance on Hindutva

As the Congress president, Rahul Gandhi addressed the issue multiple times:

• August 2018, Hyderabad: He told editors, “I do not believe in soft or hard-core Hindutva.”
• December 2018, Jaipur: At a rally against rising inflation, he said, “I am a Hindu, but I am not a Hindutvawadi (Hindutva follower).”

He further elaborated on the distinction:

“You are all Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu, but Nathuram Godse was a Hindutvawadi. The Bhagavad Gita tells Hindus to seek the truth, whereas Hindutva followers care nothing for truth. They are power-hungry and filled with fear. Since 2014, Hindutvawadis are in power, while true Hindus remain sidelined. These Hindutvawadis are fake Hindus.”

Despite Congress’s crushing defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi did not change his viewpoint on Hindutva.

• November 2021, Wardha (Maharashtra): Addressing a party training camp online, he said:
  “When Hindus follow Hinduism, why do they need Hindutva? Hinduism is not meant for attacking Sikhs or Muslims—but Hindutva is.”

Mani Shankar Aiyar and the Continuing Debate

During a debate organized by the Kolkata Debating Circle on “Protecting Hinduism from Hindutva,” Mani Shankar Aiyar said:

“Hindutva means Hinduism living in fear. It tells 80% of Hindus to fear 14% of Muslims. Hindutva is a political maneuver.”

Mahua Moitra on Hinduism and “Love Jihad”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also commented in the same debate:
“A Hindu who follows Hinduism can imagine love between a Hindu and a Muslim. But a Hindutva follower will call it ‘Love Jihad.’ A Bengali Hindu may offer meat to Goddess Kali, but a Hindutvawadi will say it is wrong.”