Mumbai, Aug 4 (NationPress) Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday criticized comments made by NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad regarding Sanatan Dharma, labeling them as “unfortunate” and a direct affront to India's cultural heritage.

This controversy arose after Awhad, during a media interaction on Saturday, claimed, “Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There was never a religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma.”

In an interview with IANS, Nirupam asserted, “Hindu Dharma is the foundation of India’s culture and Sanatan tradition. Statements from leaders like Jitendra Awhad disrespect Sanatan Dharma, which is regrettable. For a millennium, India faced foreign invasions, endured forced conversions, and aggressive religious expansion. Yet, the Sanatan tradition prevailed. Despite the spread of Islam and Christianity, Sanatan Dharma thrived because India upheld its dignity and cultural ethos. Sanatan Dharma is not a modern concept but an eternal tradition that has withstood numerous attempts to erase it.”

Nirupam also addressed BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Thakur’s claims accusing the Congress of “torturing Hindus” and practicing appeasement politics during their governance.

Nirupam remarked, “While in power, Congress coined the term ‘saffron terror’ to tarnish the RSS and Hindutva. Innocent individuals linked to Hindutva were wrongfully implicated in the Malegaon blast case, and now, 17 years later, the NIA court has cleared them of all charges. This clearly indicates the entire ‘saffron terror’ narrative was politically driven. Sadhvi Pragya is correct in asserting that terrorism bears no religion or color. Congress has sullied the saffron color, revered in this nation, marking a disgraceful chapter for them.”

Nirupam also commented on the Supreme Court’s recent inquiry directed at Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, questioning him about his repeated assertions that China had seized 2,000 square kilometers of Indian territory during the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation.

“Rahul Gandhi must issue responsible statements, particularly in his position as the LoP. If he claims territorial occupation, he must substantiate it. The Supreme Court rightly demanded evidence. Such serious issues should not be trivialized into political rhetoric. If he wishes to challenge the government, he should do so in Parliament, adhering to proper protocols,” Nirupam told IANS.

Despite the backlash, the Supreme Court provided relief to Rahul Gandhi by suspending criminal defamation proceedings initiated over his statements regarding the Indian Army.