Amid the row over Congress’ manifesto promise of imposing a ban on Bajrang Dal, if voted to power in Karnataka, the controversy pertaining to the issue seems to be escalating by each passing day.
The controversial election promise which triggered a national row between the two political rivals where the Bharatiya Janata Party led by PM Modi, on one hand has its all guns blazing on the congress, while leaders from the grand old party, on the other hand, seem to be reluctant in going defensive on their controversial election promise.
Joining the fray on May 2, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel, while speaking to the media, said that the ‘Chhattisgarh Government may also consider a similar ban on the Hindu outfit if needed.’
“We have promised to ban outfits like Bajrang Dal not Bajrang bali, there are some who on the name of Bajrangbali are doing hooliganism, even in Chhattisgarh Bajrang Dal members are doing such things, are they got exclusive right for hooliganism on the Lord’s name, if needed we may consider banning them in the state”, said CM Bhupesh Baghel.
Meanwhile, in a befitting reply to the Chief Minister, senior BJP leader and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Ghar Wapsi Abhiyan, Prabal Pratap Judev, said it’s a big conspiracy of the Baghel Government to ban the Hindu outfit that keeps a close watch on the anti-Sanatana Dharma activities in the State.
“Bajrang Dal played a pivotal role in stopping anti-Sanatan Dharma activities like Changai Sabha, Cow smuggling and Cow slaughtering. The organisation always has a watch on anti-Dharma activities. It’s a big conspiracy to sabotage all the activities being done in favour of Sanatana Dharma, added Prabal Pratap Judev.
Bajrang Dal has always worked in favour of Sanatana Dharma, recently they exposed a conversion racket in Durg and the Chief Minister is saying that he will ban the organisation. The Congress party has always supported those who worked against the Sanatan Dharma. Their sole motto is to support the conversions and then convert them as their vote banks, Prabal Pratap Judev added further.
Earlier, PM Modi, too, in a public gathering in Hospet of Karnataka, slammed the congress and said those who locked the Ramlala are now also having an issue with those who chant Jai Bajrangbali.
#WATCH | Today it is my great fortune to bow down to this holy land of Hanuman ji and see the misfortune, today when I have come here, at the same time the Congress party has decided to lock Bajrangbali in its manifesto. Earlier Shri Ram was locked up and now they have taken the… pic.twitter.com/F2IqRrQ8xp
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023
“Today is my great fortune to bow down to this holy land of Hanuman ji and see the misfortune, today when I have come here, at the same time the Congress party has decided to lock Bajrangbali in its manifesto. Earlier Shri Ram was locked up and now they have taken the decision to lock up those who chant Jai Bajrangbali,” said PM Modi on May 2.
In another public meeting on May 3, PM Modi also appealed to the people of Karnataka to chant Jai Bajrangbali before casting their vote. The PM also urged the gathering to chant ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ with him before addressing the crowd.
It is to be noted that earlier, the congress party, in its manifesto for the State assembly election, promised to ban Bajrang Dal along with the Popular Front of India (PFI) if voted to power in the upcoming State election.
“The Congress party is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred among communities on the grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on any such organisations, read a paragraph of the party manifesto”.
Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Bajrang Dal, along with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), hit the streets in Mangalore and New Delhi on May 2 and staged a protest outside the congress headquarters. The Hindu outfit members also raised slogans against the congress party and demanded that the party should immediately roll back its manifesto promise of banning the outfit.
