RSS taunts BJP to abandon Hindutva ideology, "Never," says Rajnath

If BJP alienates itself from this ideology and get a modern outlook, it would bring it ample opportunities, he added.

"If BJP gives up 'Hindutva,' regional parties like Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, Telugu Desam Party will rush to it and internal bickering in the JD(U) will also finish," the RSS ideologue taunted, adding that if BJP disassociates itself with Hindutva, "its umbilical cord with the RSS will automatically fall."

However, it would not affect RSS "come what may, (as) the Sangh isn't going to quit Hindutva," he said.

"There is a big following of Hindutva and it should be adopted from the bottom of heart with sincerity," he added.

Vaidya also slammed BJP leader Varun Gandhi's anti-minority rhetoric during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. "What he (Gandhi) said are against the basic tenets of Hindutva. Chopping off hands or any such thing is not acceptable to us. This is not Hindutva," he said.

"If he ever came to me, I would first ask him if he actually said so. The ideology of Hindutva is often misrepresented and misunderstood...Hindutva is about plurality of thought, and plurality of faith," he added.