Bengaluru: Hinduism and Hindus appear to be the most soft targets for Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the CPI (M). In his latest attack on Hinduism and Hindus, he said that “even Hindus can be violent” and that two of the most revered texts in Hinduism, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are “proof of it”.

The observations come in the backdrop of the BJP giving ticket to Prajya Singh Thakur, who is a terror accused, from the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. Referring to her statements that “Hindus don’t believe in violence”, he said, “Many kings and principalities have fought battles in the country. Ramayana and Mahabharata are also filled with instances of violence and battles. Being a pracharak, you narrate the epics, but still claim Hindus can't be violent?"

Taking a deeper dig at the religion, he added, "What is the logic behind saying there is a religion, which engages in violence and we Hindus don't.”

After these incendiary and hurtful remarks, the leader then trained his guns at the BJP.

"After the initial phases of election got over, they came back to the core Hindutva agenda - Abolition of Article 35A and 370, Construction of Ram Mandir on the disputed sight, Uniform Civil Code and NRC. On the back of such issues, the decision to bring in Sadhvi Pragya Thakur to contest from Bhopal after the third phase is a step taken based on hyping up the sentiments of the people," Yechury added.

“Ramayana and Mahabharata are two epics, which have had a profound influence on civilisations across the world. They are very honourable to us. A venerable figure like Rama or Krishna are not mere characters, but they have the ability to shape characters. Just like Quran and Bible are venerable to Muslims and Christians, Ramayana and Mahabharata are venerable to us. Defaming them is an insult to Hindus. Sitaram should apologise for it,” said KS Eshwarappa, senior BJP leader.