Mani Shankar Aiyar’s ‘Hinduism vs Hindutva’ Remarks Trigger Political Storm, BJP Hits Back Sharply

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again sparked a major political controversy with his remarks on Hinduism and Hindutva, drawing fierce reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a debate organised by the Kolkata Debating Circle on the topic “Hinduism must be saved from Hindutva,” Aiyar described Hindutva as “Hinduism living in fear.”

His comments have intensified the already sensitive national debate on religion, politics, and identity, with the BJP accusing the Congress of deliberately attempting to divide Hindu society.

‘Hindutva Is Hinduism Living in Fear’: Aiyar

During the discussion, Aiyar claimed that Hindutva promotes fear among the Hindu majority. “Hindutva tells 80 percent Hindus to fear 14 percent Muslims,” he said, arguing that the ideology thrives on insecurity rather than spiritual strength.

He went on to cite controversial examples, alleging that Hindutva manifests itself in acts such as a BJP leader slapping a blind and hungry tribal girl for attending a Christmas lunch at a church, or people tearing down Christmas decorations in shopping malls. According to Aiyar, such actions reflect an intolerant political ideology rather than the essence of Hinduism.

Savarkar and the Ideological Debate

Aiyar also referred to V.D. Savarkar, a key ideologue of Hindutva, claiming that Savarkar viewed Buddhism as a major threat to Hindu society. Quoting Savarkar, Aiyar said that Buddhism was described as the “final negation of Hinduism,” accusing it of promoting universalism and non-violence in a way Savarkar believed weakened national and Hindu identity.

‘Hinduism Is Spiritual, Hindutva Is Political’

Drawing a sharp distinction between faith and ideology, Aiyar said Hinduism is a great spiritual religion, while Hindutva is a political agenda that emerged only in 1923. He argued that Hinduism has survived and flourished for thousands of years—through multiple challenges—without needing the protection of Hindutva.

“Hinduism existed long before Hindutva and faced countless hardships, yet it survived and prospered without any political shield,” Aiyar said, adding that the Hinduism of Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda cannot be equated with or safeguarded by Savarkar’s version of Hindutva.

BJP’s Counter: ‘Preserving Hinduism Is Hindutva’

Responding at the same event, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi rejected Aiyar’s arguments, asserting that Hindutva simply means “Hindu tattva”—the core essence of Hinduism.

Trivedi argued that Hinduism is unique among world religions because it allows debate even on its own scriptures. “Which culture allows questioning of its own religious texts? Only Hinduism,” he said.

He further questioned why the term “ism” is attached only to religions that originated in India—Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism—while terms like “Islamism” or “Christianism” are rarely used. According to him, the suffix is often employed to demean Indian traditions.

“When you preserve Hinduism, when you protect its foundational values, that itself is called Hindutva,” Trivedi asserted.

BJP Accuses Congress of Divisive Politics

Reacting strongly to Aiyar’s remarks, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress of trying to create divisions within the Hindu community for political gain.

“Once again, Congress is attempting to pit one Hindu against another. Their strategy is clear—consolidate minority votes while dividing the Hindu majority,” Bhandari said, alleging that such statements are driven purely by vote-bank politics.

Controversy Far From Over

Aiyar’s remarks have reignited a long-standing ideological battle over the meaning of Hinduism and Hindutva in modern India. While the Congress leader frames the debate as one between spirituality and political ideology, the BJP insists that Hindutva represents the cultural and civilisational core of Hinduism.

With strong reactions from both sides, the controversy is expected to escalate further in the coming days, once again placing religion and identity at the centre of India’s political discourse.