(Image source from: Outlook Admits Quoting Rajnath Singh Wrongly})

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he had “never been this hurt" in his entire political career, when Left parliamentarian Mohd Salim attributed a controversial comment to Mr Singh during the debate in Parliament on 'rising intolerance'.

Initiating the debate on "intolerance" in the Lok Sabha, Mr Salim said, "How did fringe elements get the courage? I want to question the home minister. When Modi came to power, he said "800 saal baad koi hindu phir se is desh ka shaasak bana hai (After 800 years, this country has a Hindu ruler once again.) Is this democracy? Is this secularism? Is it a part of the Constitution?"

Mr Singh strongly denied ever saying that India had the "first Hindu ruler after 800 years" after Modi came to last year. Then Mr Salim read out the comment that was attributed to Mr Singh in the Outlook newsmagazine: "The current strife is uncharted territory. It has the imprimatur of the "first Hindu ruler after 800 years" (to quote Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Modi's election victory)..."

Demanding an apology, Mr Singh said, "Mohd Salim is a very old friend. But he has made a very serious allegation. Where have I said this and when? He should tell the entire house or he should apologize to the house."

The CPM leader was asked to take back what he said by the ruling BJP, which said the discussion would not proceed until then. But, Mr Salim refused it. He and other Left MPs challenged the Home Minister to deal with the writer of the article in the Outlook newsmagazine.

Many people on twitter said the comments were actually made by Ashok Singhal, Vishva Hindu Parishad leader. He passed away a fortnight ago.

Admitting its error, the Outlook magazine said, "In this story, a remark ("first Hindu ruler after 800 years") made by the late Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was erroneously attributed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Outlook deeply regrets the lack of diligence in verifying the source of the statement. It was not our intention to denigrate the home minister or Parliament. Outlook sincerely regrets the embarrassment caused to Mr. Rajnath Singh and Mr. Mohammad Salim."

Also read: “Ambedkar never thought about leaving India”, Rajnath Singh says

-Sumana