‘I’ll resign as MLA and not just apologize for my statement,’ says Jarkiholi

A controversy was sparked over the remarks of Karnataka Congress working president Satish Jarkiholi over the word “Hindu” on Monday.

Meanwhile, Satish Jarkiholi said if proven wrong he would resign as MLA and also will not apologize for his statement.

“Let everyone prove I’m wrong. If I am wrong, I’ll resign as MLA and not just apologize for my statement,” Jarkiholi said.

Earlier on Monday Jarkiholi sparked a controversy by saying the word “Hindu” is Persian and the meaning of the Hindu word is horrible.

“Where has the word “Hindu” come from? It has come from Persia…So, what is its relation with India? How’s ‘Hindu’ yours? Check on WhatsApp, and Wikipedia, the term isn’t yours. Why do you want to put it on a pedestal?… Its meaning is horrible,” Jarkiholi said.

Moreover, on social media Jarkiholi’s statement went viral and BJP leaders slammed him over his statement.

BJP Union Minister Anurag Thakur slammed the leader and said, “It has become a habit of Congress and AAP leaders to demean Hindus and insult Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Only during elections, do they remember Gods and Goddesses, while the rest of the time, they keep abusing them.”

Over Jarkiholi remarks, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called it unfortunate and said, “They (Congress leaders) make statements with half knowledge to appease voters of one community and dream to get minority votes. This is anti-national and everyone should condemn it. Are Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah’s silence endorsing Satish’s statements?”

Taking to Twitter BJP spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted, “This is not a Sanyog but a Votebank ka Udyog, from Hindu terror to opposing Ram Mandir to linking Gita and Jihad.”

However, from Jarkiholi’s statement, Congress leaders maintained the distance. “Satish Jarkiholi’s statement is his personal opinion and not the Congress party’s opinion, we will ask for his explanation on the same,” Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar said.