The quality of the prevalent discourse on nationalism within the Sangh Parivar has inadvertently been betrayed by BJP president Nitin Gadkari when he put at par the intelligence quotient of Swami Vivekanand and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. As per Gadkari's science, though both had the same IQ level, their paths were different.

Obviously it would be naive to dismiss Gadkari's formulation as indiscretion of a dim-witted leader who developed the pretence of an intellectual. Far from it, his statement is indicative of the intellectual culture that supports the argument of Hindu nationalism. Surprisingly, such arguments are discreetly used in the Sangh Parivar to bolster the Hindutva cause.

What Gadkari has said in Bhopal conforms to the RSS's world view. His argument perfectly matches the intellectual rigour applied within the saffron fold. But what Gadkari's slip of tongue has done is an unpardonable sin: to reveal the nature and quality of a subversive culture which exists within the Parivar. Gadkari's articulation would ultimately prove to be his political nemesis. As of now his days are numbered -- not because of his involvement in unethical business practices. He would pay the price for letting a family secret slip away in public arena.

According to an agency report, Gadkari said at a function in Bhopal Sunday night, "In psychology, we measure IQ levels of people... But it depends from person to person, in which area they use their intelligence.

"As per psychology if we can compare the IQ level of Swami Vivekanand and that of Dawood Ibrahim, then it could have been almost the same. But Vivekanand used it in nation building, brotherhood and spiritualism while Dawood used that in excelling in crime world," he said.

As the statement ignited controversy on Monday, Gadkari has said he was misquoted.