Rahul Gandhi/File Image
Day after senior Congress leader CP Joshi brewed a controversy by stating that only Brahmins can talk about Hinduism, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday clarified that the views expressed by the AICC general secretary were contrary to the morals of the Congress party, and that he should apologise for saying so.
"They say a Congressi can't be a Hindu, who gave them the authority to issue certificates? Have they opened a university? If anyone knows about religion then its pandits/brahmins. They are just misguiding people by such moves. Uma Bharti is a Lodhi, and she talks about Hinduism, Modi ji talks about Hinduism. It is only Brahmins who don't talk about it. The country is being misled. Religion and governance are two different things. Everyone has the right practice their religion," Joshi had said at a public gathering on Wednesday.
Urging party leaders to not make statements that could hurt any section of the society, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to express disappointment as he publicly called for an apology by Congress leader CP Joshi.
"CP Joshi's comment is the opposite of the values of Congress party. Party leaders should not give statements which can hurt sentiments of any section. I am sure Joshi ji will realise his mistake, keeping party's principles in mind. He should regret his statement," the Congress president said in a tweet today.
After Rahul's call for apology, Joshi regretted his remarks and said: "Respecting the ideals of the Congress and the sentiments of the party workers, I express remorse for my statement if it caused any hurt to the sentiments of any section of the society."
In the video, he was heard saying that only pandits and brahmins knew about Hinduism and were learned enough to speak about it.
