Patna, Dec 24 (NationPress) Following Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's assertion that the ongoing Hindu-Muslim tensions in India stem from the Congress party's interpretation of secularism and its vote bank strategies, Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal voiced his strong endorsement of Gadkari’s comments. He accused Congress of systematically attempting to undermine the Ganga-Jamuni culture throughout the country.

In an interview with IANS, Jaiswal remarked that Congress has adopted a policy of appeasement since India's Independence.

“The Congress has been engaged in appeasement politics since Independence. Even during the Partition, Congress leaders significantly contributed to dividing the nation,” he stated.

He further accused the party of damaging India’s social fabric even in contemporary times.

“Currently, Congress continues to poison the Ganga-Jamuni culture across the nation. They have always worked to instill fear in minority communities, particularly among Muslims, to keep them at odds with the BJP,” he claimed.

Jaiswal also charged Congress with adhering to a colonial tactic of division.

“Congress has consistently subscribed to the British principle of ‘divide and rule’. However, the people of India have become aware of this. This is why the saffron ideology has gained traction across the country today,” he noted.

In a separate event, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed attendees in New Delhi at the launch of the book ‘Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti’, written by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Professor Vasudev Devnani, with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also in attendance.

During his speech, Gadkari clarified that secularism should not be misconstrued as appeasement of any particular community. He articulated that the essence of secularism is ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’, signifying equal respect for all religions, justice for all, and equitable treatment of every citizen.

Reiterating sentiments expressed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gadkari stated, “India is a secular nation. It always has been, and it always will be.” He stressed that this tradition arises not from political ideologies but from India’s civilizational ethos.

“This is not due to the BJP or RSS. It is rooted in Bharatiya Sanskriti, Hindu Sanskriti, and Sanatan Sanskriti, which fosters a desire for the welfare of the entire world,” Gadkari emphasized. In a subtle critique of the Nehru-Gandhi family, he pointed out that Indian culture promotes collective well-being over individual or familial interests.

“We do not advocate for ‘mera kalyan ho’ (may I be blessed), but rather for ‘vishwa ka kalyan ho’ (may the world be blessed),” Gadkari noted.

“Our culture is neither communal nor casteist. On the contrary, Hindutva is compassionate, tolerant, and inclusive,” he continued.

Gadkari also remarked that there is no historical record of any Hindu king destroying others’ places of worship.

“This is simply not part of our culture or genetic makeup… We are not ‘adhikarvaadi (authoritarian)’ or ‘vistarvaadi (expansionist)’,” he stated.

“Regrettably, Bharatiya and Sanatan Sanskriti and its history have been grossly misinterpreted, and some of our own people have contributed to this misrepresentation,” he concluded.