A complaint has been filed against actor and Congress leader Urmila Matondkar for anti-Hindu remarks. The complaint, filed by a Mumbai BJP worker, also sought action against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly instructing Matondkar to make the remark.
Matondkar is the Congress’ candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP worker, Suresh Nakhua, told he lodged the complaint after watching Matondkar’s interview on a news channel in which she said “Hinduism is the most violent religion in the world”.
Nakhua filed the complaint with Powai police Mumbai’s station, claiming that the remarks made by the actor hurt the Hindu community’s sentiments.
On 29th April 2019, when North Mumbai steps out to cast their vote, let them not forget Urmila Matondkar's statement - "Hinduism has turned out be the most violent religion of them all" - Let us respond to her at the ballot box!! pic.twitter.com/42taXyGDwD
— Chowkidar Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) April 5, 2019
Calling it “false, mischievous, deceitful and frivolous”, Nakhua claimed that the remarks were made with an intention to cause disharmony among the people and malign the country at the international level.
Taking to Twitter, Nakhua said, “Cong Candidate from Mumbai, Urmila Matondkar says: The religion which has been known for its tolerance has become the most violent!! This is abuse of Hindus!!!”
The BJP worker also alleged that Matondkar made these “malicious, mischievous and calumnious comments on the instructions and orders of Congress president Rahul Gandhi”.
Urmila now and few years back.
— #RenukaJain Chowkidar 🇮🇳 (@RenukaJain6) April 9, 2019
She is another Kejriwal
Madam Hinduism doesn’t need your stamp. We are proud Hindus. It is our tolerance that you are fine. Dare say it for any other religion. They won’t spare you. pic.twitter.com/yToTGjrNll
Urmila Matondkar termed a complaint filed against her as "bogus and baseless" while asserting that her comments in an interview were regarding “divisive politics of BJP” and not Hinduism, which is the “epitome of peace”.
“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 mala fide 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,” said Matondkar in a statement.
Congress candidate, Urmila Matondkar who recently said that the Hindu religion has turned out to be the most violent religion, was seen celebrating the Hindu festival, Gudi Padwa in Mumbai today. Well, well, well.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) April 6, 2019
She also emphasised that she believes 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,” she added.
Actor and Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Matondkar at #GudiPadwa celebrations in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/w3pQfz56h0
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019
Matondkar also accused BJP of victimising her and said, “I have been victimised like so many others in the last 5 years by BJP. I deplore this aggressive and hostile policy of BJP.”
On April 6, BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua had filed a criminal complaint against Matondkar, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and a television journalist.
“I was watching television on April 5 at 8 pm. I saw well known and celebrated Bollywood actress Ms Urmila Matondkar, make false, mischievous and deceitful comments saying ‘Hinduism the most violent religion in the world’,” the complaint read.
Congress MP candidate from Mumbai North Urmila Mataondkar: I am going to file my nomination today. I am feeling excited; The complaint filed against me is baseless and bogus. I believe in and respect Hinduism. pic.twitter.com/BK0KflqCdh
— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2019
Congress has fielded Matondkar from Mumbai North Parliamentary constituency of Maharashtra in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
Maharashtra will go to polls in the first four phases, beginning April 11. Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.