‘I have been misquoted’: Congress leader Urmila Matondkar issues first statement after complaint over comments on Hinduism

Urmila Matondkar dismissed allegations that she called Hinduism 'the most violent religion' as ‘bogus, baseless’ after a complaint was filed against her by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Suresh Nakhua. 

READ: Criminal Complaint Filed Against Congress’ Urmila Matondkar For Allegedly Calling Hinduism 'the Most Violent Religion'

In a statement, the actress, who is a Congress candidate from Mumbai North constituency, said that she was ‘grossly misquoted with malafide intentions’ by Nakhua and added that she had 'only objected to the fake, divisive and violent ideology promoted by the BJP in the name of Hinduism to misguide our people and bring disrepute to our great religion'. Calling the religion as ‘epitome of peace, inclusiveness and non violence’, Urmila spoke about the various principles of Hinduism as promoted by Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand and Sardar Patel. She also attacked the BJP for its ‘aggressive and hostile policy’ and compared raising voice against them to 'committing a crime.' The Congress candidate added she had been ‘victimised’ like many others in the BJP rule.  

 Here’s Urmila’s full statement: 

“The complaint filed against me is ex facie bogus, baseless and filed with ulterior motives. I have been grossly misquoted by the complainant who is a BJP member with malafide intentions. In my interview, I had only objected to the fake, divisive and violent ideology promoted by the BJP in the name of Hinduism to misguide our people and bring disrepute to our great religion. Hinduism is an epitome of peace, inclusiveness and non violence. I believe in Hinduism which embraces benevolent concepts of Wasudhaiv Kutumbakam and Ahimsa Paramodharma. This is the Hinduism promoted by our great forefathers and Lokmanya Tilak, Gandhiji, Vivekanand and Sardar Patel. I believe in, love and  respect Hinduism in this sense and not in what BJP wants to promote. Unfortunately, today raising voice against BJP ideology and speaking the truth amounts to committing a crime. I have been victimised like so many others in last 5 years by BJP. I deplore this aggressive and hostile policy of BJP. Satymev Jayate.” 

Urmila had reportedly on the show, said, "The religion which has been known for its religion tolerance has turned out to be the most violent religion of them all. What is sad is that this sort of terribly heinous acts have been lauded and are constantly going viral. People are made to believe this is how the society always was.” 

READ: WATCH: A Day After Joining The Congress, Urmila Matondkar Fires An 'Intolerance' Attack At The Government

Nakhua had also named Congress President Rahul Gandhi and a television journalist, claiming the actress made the comments on the instructions of the former and the latter for allowing her to make the ‘false, malicious, mischievous statement and also broadcasted it on the television channel.’ In the complaint, the BJP spokesperson requested the police to register an FIR under that the sections of 295A, 505 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and termed the comments 'highly frivolous and made with the deliberate motive to cause disharmony among the citizens of India following different religions and malign the country at a global level.'