Belagavi: Karnataka Congress Working President Satish Jarkiholi, who has triggered a row by making an objectionable remark on the word ‘Hindu’, appears to be defiant and said that he will resign if anyone proves him wrong. Jarkiholi is facing criticism for claiming that the word 'Hindu' is Persian and has a “very dirty meaning.” "Let everyone prove I’m wrong. If I am wrong, I’ll resign as MLA and not just apologise for my statement," said Satish Jarkiholi, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president, according to ANI.


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The Karnataka Congress leader had earlier said that "a word and a religion from elsewhere is being forcefully imposed on people here", and demanded that there should be a proper debate in this regard. Reacting to its own party leader's statements, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has termed it as deeply unfortunate and rejected it "unequivocally".


Jarkiholi said, "They speak about Hindu Dharm...This that, where did the Hindu word come from? Is it ours? It is Persian. Persian is from Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. What is Bharat's relationship with it? Then, how did the Hindu become yours? There should be a debate on this."


He said, "Look at 'Wikipedia', where this word (Hindu) comes from? It is not yours. Then why are you placing it at such a high position? If you understand its meaning, you will be ashamed. The meaning of the word Hindu is very dirty. I'm not saying this, Swamiji has said this, it's on websites."


"A religion and a word from somewhere else is being forcefully imposed on us, there should be a debate on this," he further added. The MLA from Yamakanmardi was speaking at Nippani in the district during an event organised by "Manav Bandhutva Vedike" on Sunday.


Responding to this, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "the statement attributed to Satish Jarkiholi is deeply unfortunate and deserves to be rejected. We condemn it unequivocally." "Hinduism is a way of life and a civilizational reality. Congress built our nation to respect every religion, belief and faith. This is the essence of India," he said in a tweet.


Meanwhile, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge Arun Singh also hit back at the Congress saying that the latter has defamed the country's ancient culture. Launching an attack on the Congress party over Jarkiholi`s statement, Singh said, "Congress always speaks badly of our ancient culture. Satish Jarkiholi defamed our ancient culture. It`s highly condemnable. People will give a befitting reply."