‘Hindu terrorism’ not my coinage: Digvijaya Singh

Hindus cannot be terrorists, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh told ET in an exclusive interview, his first since deciding to contest from Bhopal, emphasising that terrorism is not in the ethos of Hinduism. The former two-term CM of MP dismissed the BJP’s charge that he had coined the term ‘Hindu terrorism’, drew a sharp distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva, and made light of the BJP’s choice of candidate against him — Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case who is out on bail. Edited excerpts:

Why have you been silent in the runup to the election?
I am not silent. I think I was too loud earlier. After six months and 10 days of silence during my Narmada parikrama, I have moderated myself. I speak when I have to. This is Ma Narmada’s gyan.

You were very vocal against terrorism earlier. But now that you are pitted against Pragya Singh Thakur you haven’t voiced any views…
My views on terrorism are well known. There is no need for me to repeat myself.

Why, in your view, did the BJP field Pragya Singh Thakur against you?
It doesn’t matter to me who I am fighting against. She is like any other candidate. I am not fighting an election against A, B or C. I am fighting it on issues of poverty, unemployment, losses caused by demonetisation, loss of employment and improper implementation of GST.

These are issues that unfortunately BJP and Mr Modi have been dodging and the media is happily letting main issues that concern the country being sidelined. Therefore, my election is on issues which matter to people of Bhopal in particular and to people of my country in general.

After filing your nomination, you said that ‘Hindutva’ was not a word in your dictionary. What did you mean?
Hindutva is not part of Hindu religion. It is a term coined by Savarkar ji to give an identity which had political overtones. There is nothing religious about Hindutva. I am a devout practising Hindu who believes in Sanatan Dharma. I don’t seek votes because I am a Hindu. I don’t use religion in my politics.


BJP says you were the first one to use ‘Hindu terrorism’…
No. I did not. I used the word ‘Sanghi terrorism’. Hindus cannot be terrorists. It is against the ethos of Hinduism.

How did the term ‘Hindu terrorism’ come to be used?
The person who, as home secretary, used the word “Hindu terror” first — RK Singh — was given a ticket by BJP and was made a cabinet minister. Even at that time Janardan Dwivedi and I opposed the usage. Why is BJP employing double standards — acting differently towards different people? There are other people who have used this. They have all been given positions in BJP.

Why are you contesting from Bhopal, and not from your previous constituency Rajgarh?
It (Bhopal) is a difficult seat. But all my life I have loved challenges. Chief minister Kamal Nath ji asked me to contest from Bhopal. I told him that I have no problem in contesting but I must speak to Congress president. I met Rahul Gandhi ji and briefed him that I have been in Rajya Sabha all these years but if you want me in Lok Sabha I have no issues. My chief minister wants me to contest from Bhopal, which we haven’t won since 1989. But if the party desires, I am prepared to contest from there.

You were a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but you haven’t said a single word on Modi in this election…
I don’t oppose Modi. I oppose his policies. I oppose his way of using politics and misleading the people. I have no personal grudge against him.