Even Jinnah would not have dared, Himanta on Congress poll promise to ban Bajrang Dal

The Assam Chief Minister said that even if Jinnah were alive he would not have drafted such an Islamic fundamentalist election manifesto.

Bengaluru: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma fumed at the Congress announcing that it would ban radical organisations like Bajrang Dal if it was voted to power in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. Describing the manifesto as 'Muslim fundamentalist,' he said that even if Jinnah were alive he would not have dared to ban the Hindu youth organisation.

The Congress, in its election manifesto, drew Bajrang Dal a parallel to the Popular Front of India (PFI) and said it would crack its whip on such organisations radicalising the youth of Karnataka. Reacting to it, the Assam CM reminded that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already been banned.

Himanta said the former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah withdrew cases against PFI activists when the Congress party was in power in the state. Attacking the Congress on appeasing the Muslims, Himanta said the step against Bajrang Dal is being taken by the Congress in a bid to 'appease the Muslims'. Congress manifesto looks like the manifesto of PFI, he accused.

The Bajrang Dal has been active in several states to enforce what they call the Hindu way of life. Recently they called for a ban on 'Halaal' meet and doing away with the practice of wearing 'Hijab' in interschool colleges in the state. They had also sought a ban on many Bollywood productions, the recent one being Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan's latest. The Hindu youth organisation had taken offence to actor Deepika who also stars in the film, sporting a 'saffron' Bikini in the dance number Besharam Rang.

The Congress will be at loggerheads with the incumbent BJP in the May 10 State Assembly Elections. The votes will be counted on May 13. Other this step in secular direction, Congress has promised a slew of free economic benefits for its voters including free electricity or free bus rides for women. It has also promised to take the upper ceiling of reservation in the state to 75 per cent and also a State Education Policy.