Karnataka: Congress promises crackdown on organisations spreading ‘hatred’; names PFI, Bajrang Dal

It named the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and right-wing organisation Bajrang Dal as groups that violate the law. “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,” the manifesto reads.

The Congress said it would “take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations.”

Ahead of the May 10 polls in Karnataka, the ban on PFI imposed by the Union government has been highlighted by the BJP in its campaigns. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently said the BJP secured the safety of Karnataka by banning PFI.

Moreover, addressing a recent election rally in Hospet in Vijayanagara district, PM Narendra Modi said: “I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay obeisance to the land of Hanuman but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman’s land, at the same time Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman.”

The PM further said, “First they (Congress) locked up Lord Rama and now they have vowed to lock up those who chant ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’. It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Lord Rama and now it has difficulty with those who say ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’.”

PFI and its affiliates – save for its political arm Social Democratic Party of India – was banned by the Centre in September 2022 for “pursuing a secret agenda to radicalize a particular section of the society working towards undermining the concept of democracy and show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country.” Around 270 members of the outfits were arrested during the crackdown last year.

Bajrang Dal is a right-wing group accused of being involved in activities such as cow vigilantism, among others. In Karnataka, the group has a considerable presence in the coastal and Malnad regions. Cases have been registered against members of the outfit in several parts of the state over the years.