CP Joshi apologises for his 'Brahmin' comment after Rahul rebuke, also claims Congress credit for Ayodhya temple

The veteran leader also stirred a controversy by saying that the credit for opening the lock on the disputed Babri Masjid Ram Janambhoomi structure at Ayodhya in 1986 went to his party Congress since Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister had done it and only a Congress Prime Minister can build a Ram temple.

Joshi, who made the comment on Brahmins in poll-bound Rajasthan, was caught uttering the lines about Brahminism and Hinduism in a video, which was tweeted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Harsh Sanghavi who said: "Shameful statement by Congress Leader CP Joshi. Implies what does a lower caste person like Modi know about Hinduism as only Brahmins are true custodians of Hinduism !"

In the video, Joshi could be heard saying, "Only Brahmins know about religion in this country.....The country has become weird. Uma Bharti belongs to Lodhi community and she is speaking about Hindu religion...Narendra Modi is also talking about Hinduism. It is only Brahmins who don't talk about it. They have lost their mind in 50 years....."

Rahul, who is eyeing on to wrest power in Rajasthan which will go to polls on Dec 7, rebuked Joshi saying on Twitter, "CP Joshi's statement is opposed to Congress party's ideology. Party leaders must not give such a statement which will hurt any section of the society. In view of the Congress' beliefs and workers, Joshi will definitely realise his mistake. He should apologise for his statement."

Immediately after the Congress supremo's tweet, Joshi said in the micro-blogging site, "Respecting the thoughts of Congress' beliefs and workers, I apologise for my statement if it did hurt any section of the society."

Joshi will also participate in the upcoming state elections in which the Congress is eyeing a chance to oust the incumbent BJP. According to several poll surveys, the Congress might form the next government in the state, defeating the saffron party. The poll results will be declared on Dec 11.

Meanwhile, Joshi on Ayodhya dispute as quoted by Times of India said: “It was Rajiv Gandhi who opened the lock of the Babri Masjid premise and allowed religious rites inside the disputed structure. Only a Congress prime minister can get the temple built."