Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar has advised Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) patron Ashok Singhal against making public statements that incite communal feelings and threaten the nations' unity and integrity.
He was referring to Singhal describing the 2014 poll victory of the BJP-led NDA as a revolutionary step that would ultimately lead to the formation of a Hindu state by 2020. In his statement, the VHP leader had also predicted that the world would become a Hindu state by 2030.
"Such statements are against the very ethics of secularism that India is committed to. Such words can, at times, become a threat to the nation's unity and integrity as these could trigger communal hatred," Makkar said in a statement released by the the SGPC headquarters here on Sunday.
Pointing to Singhal's observations on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the BJP's victory, the SGPC chief said not just the Hindus but also members of other communities voted for the BJP and its allies. It was not just the BJP's victory but was a victory of secular forces, he added.
Referring to Singhal's views, he said, "Such views can become a threat to the unity of a nation whose strength is secularism. These views hurt religious sentiments and feelings of minority communities, which have contributed when it comes to strengthening the nation," he added.
{{/usCountry}}Referring to Singhal's views, he said, "Such views can become a threat to the unity of a nation whose strength is secularism. These views hurt religious sentiments and feelings of minority communities, which have contributed when it comes to strengthening the nation," he added.
{{/usCountry}}Makkar reminded Singhal that not just the Hindus but members of all communities including Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, played a major role in the nation's freedom struggle. The country belongs to all communities that reside here, he added.