Union minister, Anant Kumar Hegde, continuing with his tirade against rationalists and intellectuals, termed them as ‘idiots’ who have ‘sold’ their intellect and have been living under the ‘cover of secular makeup’.
He was speaking at a programme organized at Suchitra Film Society at Banashankari here to release the translated edition of Veer Savarkar’s book ‘Hindutva’, by critic and columnist, J B Harish, on Sunday, June 17. He accused some rationalists of having enough knowledge about Hindutva but acting out a drama about it. He felt that no one should work to create a division of Hindutva.
“Those who already know about Hindutva do not need this. Intellectuals who are in hibernation duly covering themselves in the blanket of idiocy will not understand in spite of one’s best efforts. Those who visit USA, Japan etc come back and criticize India for the improper network, bad condition of the road and shortage of electricity. For them, only these things make up a country,” he criticized.
Hegde said that Savarkar followed what he preached. He said it is impossible to totally explain Hindutva and termed such a demand as a height of foolishness. “I am not an idiot like the rationalists, and I was not born in such a lineage of idiots,” he stated.
Hegde pointed out that Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Parsis etc proudly claim themselves to be belonging to their respective religions but Hindus are not proud of their religion. He wondered why they do not feel that pride. “We know our parents. Why should we not say that we are Hindus? Our people should free themselves from this state of mind,” he stated.
Hegde blamed some people of trying to project that Hinduism is being raked up as an issue for the election. “This is not a political football match. It is not a technique meant for election. Wearing flowers, and bangles, going to temples etc do not entirely depict Hinduism. Hinduism is our lifeline and culture. It is an excellent way of living,” he explained.
Writers, M N Vyasa Rao and Rohith Chakrateertha, critic, J B Harish and others were present.
