Tejasvi Surya apologizes for his 'ghar wapasi' words and 'unconditionally' retracts them

Tejasvi Surya, a senior of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has apologised for remarks he made at an Udupi event. In addition, the Bangalore South MP stated that he is "unconditionally" withdrawing his remarks from the 'Hindu Revival in Bharat' event.

"At a program held in Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt two days ago, I spoke on the subject of 'Hindu Revival in Bharat'. Certain statements from my speech has regrettably created an avoidable controversy. I therefore unconditionally withdraw the statements," Tejasvi Surya said on Twitter.

The comments were made at the Krishna Mutt on Saturday, where the young MP said, "Those people who have left their mother religion and have for various socio, political and economic reasons throughout India's History. Those who have gone out of the Hindu fold must be brought back in whole, brought back to the mother faith, to the Hindu faith."

In his hour-long speech, Surya also attacked other religions. "Christianity and Islam are not mere religions. They are political imperial ideologies, and Hindus should understand this," he said.

Temples and mutts, according to the 31-year-old, should set yearly goals to convert persons who have been converted for various causes back to Sanatan Dharma.

The incident occurred at a time when the government of Basavaraj Bommai's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is under fire for enacting controversial regulations that are thought to be aligned with the BJP's ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In the southern state, the Christian community has also been targeted.

Similar outrage has been expressed in response to reported hate speeches delivered during the Dharma Sansad in Haridwar (Uttarakhand). The Dharma Sansad has also been charged with a felony.

The comments made in the Dharma Sansad on December 17 and 19 went viral on social media.