Concept of jihad not just in Islam but also in Gita, Christianity: Shivraj Patil

“It is not just in Quran, but in Mahabharata also, the part in Gita, Shri Krishna also talks of jihad to Arjun and this thing is not just in Quran or Gita but also in Christianity,” he claimed in his remarks in Hindi.

“If after explaining everything, people are not understanding, they are coming with weapons then you cannot run, you cannot call that jihad and you cannot call it wrong, this is what must be understood, there should not be this concept of making people understand with weapons in hand,” the 87-year-old leader said.

Patil further said Mohsina Kidwai’s book also talks about respecting all religions while following your own. He also said there is a need for peace in the world.

#WATCH | Greater Noida, UP: Former Home Minister Shivraj Patil, attempts to clarify his remarks saying Krishna taught lessons of Jihad to Arjun, says, “It is you who is calling it jihad. Would you call Krishna’s lessons to Arjun, Jihad? No, that is what I said.” pic.twitter.com/R4DkCUwMqJ

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2022

Hitting out at the Congress over Patil’s remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, “After AAP’s Gopal Italia & Rajendra Pal, not to be outdone in Hindu hatred & votebank politics, Congress’ Shivraj Patil says Shri Krishna taught ‘Jihad’ to Arjun! “Congress coined Hindu/Saffron terror, opposed Ram Mandir, Questioned Ram JI’s existence, said Hindutva=ISIS,” Poonawalla tweeted.

However, on Friday, Patil clarified saying that he was not the one to use the term jihad. “It is you who is calling it jihad. Would you call Krishna’s lessons to Arjun, Jihad? No, that is what I said,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.