The Hindu : 'Hindutva, intolerance cannot go together'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 24, 2002

National

National

'Hindutva, intolerance cannot go together'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI DEC. 23. The Bharatiya Janata Party today tried to distance itself from the inflammatory remarks made by leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the rest of the Sangh Parivar.

After using the VHP to the hilt during the Gujarat campaign — and it is reported that more than 30 VHP activists were given the ticket although the party spokesperson said he did not have the figure — party president, Venkaiah Naidu, today appealed to his fellow Hindutva votaries not to display intolerance and extremism.

Although he did not refer to anyone specifically, perhaps he had in mind the recent statement of the VHP leader, Praveen Togadia, saying those who opposed Hindutva deserve the ``death sentence''. Mr. Naidu said at the party national executive committee meeting here today:

``Those who speak in the name of Hindutva but whose pronouncements sometimes sound as if they are reacting to extremism and intolerance that has taken roots across the border'' should remember that ``Hindutva and extremism cannot go together, Hindutva and intolerance cannot go together.''

He quoted from the Supreme Court judgment on Hindutva to make his point.

The distancing from the VHP was expected.

But that does not mean that the VHP and the Bajrang Dal will not be used in the party's coming electoral campaigns as party insiders confirm.

In fact, after the Gujarat ``experience'' the VHP cadres will be given a ``free hand'' in the coming elections.

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