K’tka Congress backtracks from banning Bajrang Dal, Chhattisgarh CM says may consider if needed

Raipur: Following the Congress party's decision to backtrack from its manifesto promises of banning Bajrang Dal-like organizations that engage in nefarious activities, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has stated that his government will consider banning Bajrang Dal if the group's actions warrant such action.

The Congress party's manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections included a promise to ban organizations like Bajrang Dal if they won the election, sparking backlash from the BJP, which prompted senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily to clarify that there is no proposal to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's youth wing, which is affiliated with the Sangh.

Baghel's comments come amid rising concerns about the group's activities and the need for stricter measures to curb their behaviour while stating it is not necessary to apply the Karnataka manifesto promise in Chhattisgarh.

Baghel said that the situations in the two states are different. He acknowledged that Bajrang Dal activists have caused some disturbances in Chhattisgarh, but the state government has addressed those issues. Baghel added that if necessary, the government will consider banning Bajrang Dal.

However, Baghel's statements have faced criticism from Bajrang Dal activists in the state. Senior BJP leader Brijmohan Agarwal slammed the CM for his comments, stating that the people of Chhattisgarh will not tolerate such questioning of the organization. Agarwal also said that the BJP will receive support in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, in its election manifesto, the Karnataka Congress had promised to ban organizations like Bajrang Dal, stating that the law and Constitution should not be violated by such groups promoting enmity or hatred.