Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s home in Nainital,  Uttarakhand, was vandalised on Monday, days after the release of his new book in which he likened the ‘Hindutva’ ideology to the one espoused by radical Islamist groups. 

Sharing the photos and videos of the incident on social media, the former Union minister, wrote, “I hoped to open these doors to my friends who have left this calling card. Am I still wrong to say this cannot be Hinduism?”

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Visuals shared by the senior Congress leader showed two men  trying to douse the blaze by throwing water. The photos shared by him also showed charred doors and shattered window panes. 

At least 21 people have been booked in connection with the incident. 

“Rakesh Kapil & 20 others have been booked. Strict action will be taken against perpetrators,” DGI (Kumaun) Neelesh Anand told ANI.

Salman Khurshid has been facing severe backlash ever since the launch of his new book, ”Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times”.

A particular passage that reads, “Sanatan Dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints were being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to the jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years”, has been at the centre of controversy. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Khurshid saying his remarks have hurt sentiments of Hindus. BJP also accused Congress of  resorting to “communal politics” to gain Muslim votes.

He also faced criticism from within his party, with Ghulam Nabi Azad terming his “Hindutva” parallel an “exaggeration”.

“We may not agree with Hindutva as a political ideology but comparing it with ISIS and Jihadist Islam is factually wrong and exaggeration,” Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Meanwhile, condemning the vandalism incident, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “This is disgraceful.@salman7khurshid is a statesman who has done India proud in international forums &always articulated a moderate, centrist, inclusive vision of the country domestically.”