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New Delhi, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Friday reiterated that Hindutva is different from Sanatan Dharma, citing the views of Veer Savarkar, whom he described as the first person to use the term 'Hindutva'.
Speaking to reporters, Singh questioned whether the BJP, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) believe in Sanatan Dharma.
“Hindutva is not Sanatan Dharma. Savarkar himself said this, and he was the first to use the term 'Hindutva',” he claimed.
Singh said Sanatan Dharma had existed in the country for thousands of years and stood for the welfare of all living beings. Referring to traditional religious slogans, he said its message was that good should triumph over evil, goodwill should prevail among all living beings and the world should prosper.
“This is our Sanatan Dharma, which these people do not believe in. They consider Hindutva to be Sanatan Dharma. How can we accept that?” he added.
The Congress leader had triggered a controversy on Thursday with his remarks that Hindutva involved spreading hatred and that the RSS and VHP considered Savarkar their leader.
On Friday, he again criticized the BJP's interpretation of Hindutva, alleging that the party began invoking Sanatan Dharma only after he raised the issue. He maintained that Sanatan Dharma stood for respect for all religions and the welfare of the world, while accusing the RSS and VHP of following an ideology that promoted hatred.
Singh also asserted that Savarkar himself had said Hindutva had no connection with religion.