Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has needlessly created a controversy by bringing out some common elements in various religions regarding the interpretation of jihad. Patil who is known for his measured comments on various issues and acquitted himself extremely well as the Lok Sabha Speaker, apparently allowed his observations to be understood by correspondents and those present at an event, in what were obviously not his intention. Patil was reported to have said that Lord Krishna’s discourse to Arjun was like Jihad which was also mentioned in both the Holy books of the Muslims and Christians. After the BJP strongly objected to his comments, Patil gave a clarification where he defended his position and claimed that he had been misquoted. He had merely asked a question and not made any categorical comment. The Congress too distanced itself from its veteran leader’s reported views leaving him isolated to clear the air. The BJP said that Patil’s speech amounted to the anti-Hindu attitude of the Congress which had always tried to appease the minorities. It may be recalled that after the 2014 Parliamentary elections, one of the reasons attributed to the rout of the Congress by former Defence Minister A.K.Antony was that the electorate had voted for the BJP since in its perception the Congress had shown a perceptive tilt towards the minorities. Therefore, Patil’s comments, even if wrongly attributed have allowed the BJP to put the Congress on the defensive. Patil has represented the Latur Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra a multiple-times and conducted himself with a lot of dignity, in his many roles as the Speaker, Home Minister and Governor. These comments were made while he was speaking at the book release function, a biography of veteran leader Mohsina Kidwai. Others who were present on the occasion included besides Ms Kidwai, Digvijai Singh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor. Patil had become a victim of a Congress conspiracy in 2008 when he had to resign after the 26/11 massacre in Mumbai even though he had shared the intelligence information with the then Maharashtra government functionaries. He has had very cordial relations with the former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who in 2007 wanted him to be the President of the country, a proposal shot down by UPA ally A.B.Bardhan of the CPI. He was inducted into the Cabinet in 2004 even though he had lost the Lok Sabha poll but along with another senior leader, P.M.Sayeed, who too lost that year, Ms Gandhi included both in the Council of Ministers. As the Lok Sabha Speaker between 1991 and 1996, he distinguished himself and carried the entire House with him on most occasions. His personal equation with L.K. Advani also helped him in the task. Patil has been away from active politics and has been living with his family in NOIDA. A man who also shunned controversy and was a stickler for propriety has unfortunately got caught on the wrong foot. His explanation should be treated as his clarification because of his past record. However, politicians, should not delve into comments on religions which is one sure way of stoking a controversy.
