Thane, Aug. 3 -- NCP-SCP MLA Jitendra Awhad has sparked a fresh row by saying that Sanatan Dharma has "ruined India" and calling its ideology "perverted." His comments came after all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts were acquitted by a special NIA court, reigniting the political debate over the term "saffron terror."

Addressing reporters, Awhad said, "Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma. It was this so-called Sanatan Dharma that denied our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation. This Sanatan Dharma defamed our Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The followers of this Sanatan Dharma tried to assassinate Jyotirao Phule."

He added, "They threw cow dung...