Satish Jarkiholi defends his 'word Hindu is Persian' statement, rules out apology
says he will resign if proven wrong
Belagavi/Udupi, Nov 8: Unfazed over the widespread criticism for his remarks on the origin and the meaning of the word 'Hindu,' Karnataka Congress Working President Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday said he was only referring to what has been written and published.
Jarkiholi received backlash for his comments that the word 'Hindu' derived from Persian and had a 'dirty' meaning, with his own party pulling him up for his remarks.
On Tuesday, defending himself and ruling out any apology, the former Minister said he wants a debate on the issue and if proved wrong, would resign as a legislator.
"What I have said, 90 percent of people have probably not heard it completely. Just because there is a reference to the word Hindu and as I have said that it has a very dirty meaning, it has been interpreted however they want; there is nothing new in this, and such things have happened many times in the past," Jarkiholi said.
Speaking to reporters here, he reiterated that the word Hindu comes from Persian and there is evidence for it, and said that it has a 'dirty' meaning, referring to a dictionary published in 1963.
"What I have said is not my own, and I have said that let there be a debate, that's my intention, but people interpret it however they want, I can't do much about it. I'm ready for discussion with evidence...if someone proves me wrong, I will resign as MLA," he added.
Questioning as to why he should apologise, the Yamakanmardi legislator said whatever he has said are not his statements but those that had been written and published.
"In fact, those pointing fingers at me should have seen and rectified it. I have done what they should have done, they should be thankful to me," he said adding that he is being unnecessarily targeted by a system including "Manuwadis".
Jarkiholi while speaking at Nippani in Belagavi district during an event organised by "Manav Bandhutva Vedike' on Sunday claimed that the word 'Hindu' is Persian and has a very dirty meaning.
He also had said that a word and a religion from elsewhere is being forcefully imposed on people here, and demanded that there should be a proper debate in this regard.
Reacting to this, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday had said the statement attributed to Satish Jarkiholi is 'deeply unfortunate' and deserves to be rejected.
"We condemn it unequivocally.....Hinduism is a way of life and a civilisational reality. Congress built our nation to respect every religion, belief and faith. This is the essence of India," he said in a tweet.
To a question on Congress too, condemning his statement, Jarkiholi said party leaders should have reacted naturally, without having seen what he has actually said.
"Surjewala has condemned it, I have no objections to it, he is a higher authority than me," he said in response to a question, adding that the AICC General Secretary even spoke to him and sought clarification.
"There is no question of apologising, let the Chief Minister form a committee to find the truth in what I have said, if proved wrong, will resign, no apology," he added.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Siaddarmaaiah, not willing to say much, said, "Our national General Secretary Surjewala has reacted, that's my stand."
State Congress President D K Shivakumar, rejecting Jarkiholi's statement calling it his personal, said he will seek clarification.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accusing Jarkiholi of trying to vitiate the atmosphere in society through such statements said, his statement has hurt the sentiments of people of this country.
The Congress party is indulging in appeasement politics with such statements just for the sake of votes, he said, as he called Jarkiholi's words as half baked statements without any in-depth study.
"By doing this, the Congress leaders are trying to disturb the very foundation of belief of every Indian. Creating problems within any country amounts to the act of anti-nationalism. Everyone must condemn such acts. But, the Congress Party has been acting as if it is supporting such a statement," he told reporters in the district headquarters town of Udupi.
Several BJP leaders including B S Yediyurappa and Ministers in Bommai's cabinet have hit out at Jarkiholi and Congress party for the "anti Hindu statement".
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Punjab CM Mann meets President Murmu, seeks cancellation of membership of 6 RS members
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members.
Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
This meeting followed a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 24, when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP hailed from Punjab.
After he met with the President, Mann addressed the media here, describing the departure of the seven MPs as a "murder" of the Constitution. He stated, "Seven MPs merging with another party is completely unconstitutional. I spoke to Rashtrapati ji in detail."
Mann pointed out that he told the President that the BJP holds only two MLA seats (in Punjab), yet now has six MPs in the Rajya Sabha. He questioned, "How can this be possible? Isn't it a mockery of the Constitution?
"If they are such revolutionaries at heart, then they should have resigned from their six seats. The AAP could have sent someone else," Mann said, taking a swipe at them.
He emphasised the need for a recall provision in the Constitution, referencing MP Raghav Chadha's previous demands for such a measure when members fail to meet public expectations.
"Have you lived up to the expectations of the people?" Mann challenged the MPs during his statement.
Mann also presented a letter to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs. He differentiated between the terms 'elected' and 'selected,' stating, "They were 'selected.' Therefore, their membership should be cancelled."
The President assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts before responding.
Earlier in the day, Mann, along with party MLAs, departed for Delhi from Chandigarh.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said.
"The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added.
Later in a post on X in Hindi, Mann said, "Our struggle to protect Punjab's rights and interests continues. Today, along with all AAP MLAs, I have left to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's strong voice before the President.
As your public servant, our government remains fully committed to Punjab's prosperity and the safeguarding of the rights of every section of society."
The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief minister's residence in the morning before heading to Delhi, carrying placards that read 'Punjab Mann De Naal' and 'Punjab's Traitors.'
The legislators left for Delhi in buses.
Mann had previously sought an appointment with the President to meet with party MLAs and demand the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP. However, only Mann was given a time slot for the meeting.
