Congress, BJP slug it out over proposed ban on Bajrang Dal in former's Karnataka manifesto

The Congress and the BJP are involved in a war of words after the former promised action against outfits irrespective of majority or minority communities in case of anti-social activities while equating the Hindu rightwing outfit Bajrang Dal with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly election.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Congress' proposal to ban the Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the upcoming assembly election has led to a war of words between the Congress and the BJP with Prime Minister Narendra Modi too raising the issue during a campaign rally for the BJP, The Karnataka Congress, which released its assembly elections manifesto three days ago, has promised action against outfits irrespective of majority or minority communities in case of anti-social activities while equating the Hindu rightwing outfit Bajrang Dal with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

Ever since the Congress released the Karnataka manifesto, which has proposed a ban on the Bajrang Dal, the party has found itself in a tight spot with the BJP and the Bajrang Dal targeting the Congress over the matter. Several BJP leaders including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, State BJP President Naleen Kumar Kateel, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje have challenged the Congress party to ban Bajrang Dal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while attacking the Congress over the matter during a campaign rally asked the voters to chant 'Jai Bajrangbali' during voting. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists protested against the proposal to ban Bajrang Dal and expressed their support to Bajrang Dal by reciting Hanuma Chalisa at Anjaneya temples on Thursday.

Sources said that some Congress leaders have termed the proposal to ban the Bajrang Dal ban as unnecessary. It is said that the leaders are expressing concern about the possibility of adverse effect on the Congress in the areas where there is a stiff competition with the BJP in the upcoming assembly election.

Following the row over the Congress manifesto, senior leaders of the Congress have come forward for damage control to prevent the adverse effect of the proposed Bajrang Dal ban. ''If the Congress government comes to power, a separate development authority will be formed in the name of Hanuman. And Congress will do the work of empowering the youth by establishing Hanuman temple in the villages,'' KPCC president DK Shivakumar said in Honnavara of Uttar Kannada district on Thursday.

Shivakumar however said that he will not take back the promise of banning Bajrang Dal from the election manifesto. ''Bajrang Dal has not been said to be banned. But in the manifesto it has been said that action like ban will be taken if they are involved in illegal activities,'' said another senior leader of the Congress party, former Union Minister Veerappa Moily.

It will be interesting to see whether the controversy affects the poll prospects of the Congress which is seeking to corner the ruling BJP in Karnataka over corruption, inflation and unemployment.