New Delhi: A day after considerable social media outrage against the Union ministry of culture paying glowing tributes to Hindutva ideologue M.S. Golwalkar on his birth anniversary from its official Twitter handle, a ministry official has stated that it represents the aspirations of every section of society and doesn’t believe in silencing any ideology.
This past February 19, the ministry put out a photograph of Golwalkar with the words: “Remembering a great thinker, scholar, and remarkable leader #MSGolwalkar on his birth anniversary. His thoughts will remain a source of inspiration and continue to guide generations.”
Soon, several Twitter users including opposition leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Gaurav Gogoi, criticised the ministry for paying glowing tributes to a man opposed to Gandhi’s ideals. Several pointed out his communal beliefs from his own writings and words in support of Hitler’s genocide of the Jews.
Also read: Culture Ministry Tweets Tribute to M.S. Golwalkar Who Glorified Hitler, Justified Caste
While Tharoor pointed out that Golwalkar never respected the Indian flag and the constitution, Gogoi tweeted saying the minister of culture Prahlad Singh Patel had once told him in parliament that there was nothing wrong in worshipping Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse.
A day later on February 20, the minister’s media adviser Nitin Tripathi tweeted, saying, “India is most culturally diverse nation in the world and an epitome of multiculturalism. Ministry of Culture represents the aspirations of every section of society and do not believe in silencing any ideologies or voices which is not the part of traditional narrative.”.
In yet another tweet, Tripathi said, “Distinctive socio-cultural traits, customs, traditions and sets of values must be respected at all cost and this has been one of the essential elements of the democracy like India since ages.”
Meanwhile, several Union ministers and BJP chief ministers tweeted showering praises on Golwalkar. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha congratulated the ministry of culture for the controversial tweet.