India now controlled by extremist murderers: PHC

Dr Vankwani says Hindutva not a religious teaching but a political ideology with roots in fascism

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) Patron-in-Chief Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has said India today is controlled by extremist murderers whose ideology emerged from Hitler-inspired Hindutva philosophy and not from real Hinduism.

“Hindutva is not a religious teaching but a political ideology that was introduced by some Hitler-inspired extremists under the British rule. Majority of Hindus believe in peace, harmony, and love to all,” Dr Vankwani said in his message at the 151st birthday of the founding father of India’s Mahatma Gandhi.

“On the one hand, Indian people are facing a number of socio-economic crises in the form of poverty, hunger and Covid-19, and on the other, the extremist policies of the Modi government regarding neighbouring countries are destabilizing the entire region,” he added.

He said the patriotic Pakistani Hindu community is committed to promoting the peace vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Gandhi to counter the extremist policies of the Modi government on every platform.

Dr Vankwani paid rich tributes to Gandhi, saying the leader was a leading figure of peaceful freedom struggle against British imperialism. “Today, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, the PHC rejects the extremist policies of the present Indian leadership,” he added.

Enumerating the contributions of Gandhi, he said the Indian leader wholeheartedly supported the Khilafat Movement to show solidarity with Muslim brothers and sisters. Gandhi, in his letters to the founding father of Pakistan, used to address him as Quaid-e-Azam, he added.

Dr Vankwani said Gandhi sacrificed his life for supporting Pakistan and protecting vulnerable Muslim community but did not compromise on peace-loving teachings of Hinduism. Gandhi also pressured Indian leadership in the form of a hunger strike for providing a due amount of Rs55 crore to Pakistan.

“During the violent riots in Delhi and other parts [at the time of partition in 1947], Gandhi himself visited affected areas for requesting people not to harm each other.

“Hundreds of peace-loving citizens, belonging to different religions, had signed a 7-point declaration in the presence of Gandhi to live peacefully and ensure protection of others.

“Gandhi was also in favour of providing self-determination rights to the people of Kashmir. During his visit to Srinagar on August 1, 1947, hundreds of locals came on roads to welcome him.”

Gandhi, he said, clearly announced that Kashmiri people should be empowered to take decisions about their future. If they want to join Pakistan then no power in the world can stop them, he had said.

He said Gandhi was a well-wisher of Pakistan and wanted to spend his remaining life in Pakistan.

“Gandhi, on the invitation of Sindh chief minister Ayub Khorro, wanted to meet with Pakistani Hindu community. Gandhi had urged Pakistanis to respect the national flag of Pakistan.

“Regrettably, Gandhi, a peace activist and legendary leader, was killed by extremists due to his kindness and peace-loving views. Gandhi was a true follower of Hindu Dharma,” Dr Vankwani added.