Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Monday, 26 October launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Digvijaya Singh over his recent remarks on Sanatan Dharma, accusing the Congress of practising 'pseudo-secularism' purely for electoral advantage. The remarks add to a growing political storm around Singh's public statements on religion and identity.

What Shaina NC Said

Speaking to reporters, Shaina NC directly targeted Singh's admission that he believes in Sanatan Dharma, framing it as an example of the Congress's contradictory stance on religion. 'Digvijaya Singh admitted that he believes in Sanatan Dharma. This party believes in pseudo-secularism. It is for votes. They will continue to appease people for votes,' she said.

She further questioned the consistency of Singh's public positions, adding: 'If we go into the history of his statements, we will be able to decipher the confusion and duality he goes through.'

What Triggered the Row

The controversy stems from a press conference in which Digvijaya Singh said he personally believes in Sanatan Dharma but distinguished it sharply from Hinduism. He claimed the term 'Hinduism' was coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and argued that Hinduism, as framed by Savarkar, had no connection with equality. Singh described Sanatan Dharma as rooted in 'love, affection and empathy' — values he said his mother had imparted to him.

Singh also reportedly drew from his reading of the Holy Quran, offering his interpretation of the term 'kafir' during the same address — a move that further intensified the backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Joins the Attack

Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishwas Sarang escalated the rhetoric, questioning the intent behind Singh's proposed rally and accusing him of repeatedly stoking controversies over religious issues. 'Is he taking out this rally to insult and tarnish Hindus and Sanatan? What is his objective?' Sarang asked.

Sarang further alleged, without presenting supporting evidence, that fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was backing Singh's political campaign. 'I will clearly blame Zakir Naik for this. Digvijay Singh's Yatra is sponsored by Zakir Naik. He is writing a script every day, and Digvijay Singh is insulting Hinduism,' Sarang alleged.

Naik, an Islamic preacher who left India, faces multiple pending cases in the country, including allegations related to money laundering, hate speech, and incitement of communal hatred. Authorities have also accused him of involvement in activities linked to extremism. Sarang's allegation directly connecting Naik to Singh's rally was not accompanied by any documentary proof.

The Broader Political Context

The exchange is the latest episode in an ongoing battle over the framing of Hindu identity and religious vocabulary ahead of several state elections. Sanatan Dharma has repeatedly emerged as a flashpoint — most recently when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's son made remarks that drew nationwide controversy. Critics argue that both the ruling party and the opposition use religious framing strategically, while supporters of each side accuse the other of cynicism. Notably, Singh's remarks are being closely parsed in Madhya Pradesh, a state where BJP has historically leveraged Hindutva sentiment as a core electoral plank.