Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar ignited a fresh political controversy on January 11, 2026, by drawing a sharp distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva during a debate at the Calcutta Club in Kolkata. Speaking at the 'Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva' event, Aiyar famously described Hindutva as 'Hinduism in paranoia'. He argued that while Hinduism is a 'great spiritual religion,' Hindutva is a 'political tract' that emerged only in 1923, and that Hinduism flourished for thousands of years without its 'protection.' Aiyar's controversial statements included claims that Hindutva 'asks 80 per cent Hindus to quiver in front of 14 per cent of Muslims' and likened it to a 'BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl' for attending a Christmas lunch. He also referenced V.D. Savarkar's views on Buddhism as an 'existential threat' to Hindus. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly retaliated, strongly condemning Aiyar's remarks. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, also present at the debate, countered Aiyar's assertions by defining Hindutva as 'Hindu tattva,' representing the core essence and 'basic immunity' of Hinduism. Trivedi questioned the use of the suffix 'ism' with Indian religions, suggesting it demeans them. BJP spokespersons like Pradeep Bhandari and Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of consistently attempting to divide Hindus and insult Sanatan Dharma. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, another participant, echoed Aiyar's distinction, stating that Hinduism allows for love between Hindus and Muslims, whereas Hindutva would dismiss such a bond as 'love jihad.' The debate, featuring several prominent personalities, has reignited the long-standing political discourse in India regarding the philosophical and ideological differences between Hinduism as a faith and Hindutva as a political ideology.