Gandhi was greatest Hindu in 200 years, Hindutva is Godse's ideology: Congress

New Delhi: Congress on Thursday said 'Hindutva' is the ideology of Nathuram Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest practicing Hindu in the last 200 years.

Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh, at a press conference here, drew parallels between 'Hindutva' and 'Hindu Dharma', and said, "Who is the greatest practicing Hindu in our country in the last 200 years?

"It is Mahatma Gandhi ji. What Mahatma Gandhi preached is Hindu Dharma, what Nathuram Godse practiced is Hindutva. It's as simple as this."

"Why did Godse kill Gandhi? Why did Hindutva try to kill Hindu dharma? Because they can't understand the ideas of respect for all religions, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. They believe in 'exclusiveness', Gandhi's Hindu dharma understands inclusiveness," he said.

He also targeted actress Kangana Ranaut, without naming her, and said a "sarkari" actress keeps insulting Mahatma Gandhi, and demanded that a case of sedition be filed against her.

"She insults Gandhiji and the government keeps mum on her comments. A sedition case should be filed against her. One cannot stay in this country and malign the Father of the Nation... All awards given to her should be taken back," he said.

A fresh controversy over the comparison of 'Hindutva' and 'Hinduism' or 'Hindu Dharma' was triggered after Congress leader Salman Khurshid released his latest book on Ayodhya, where he compared the ideology of 'Hindutva' with terror groups Islamic State and Boko Haram.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in a video message to party workers on November 12, said 'Hindutva' and Hindu religion are not the same.

BJP has slammed the Congress over the comments, and has accused the opposition party of promoting politics of appeasement. (UNI)