With Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik allegedly caught on camera taking money to vandalise an art exhibition, the Congress on Friday demanded that the outfit be banned. The party also dared the Karnataka government to register a case against Mr Muthalik and arrest him.
AICC spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, “If the facts revealed the sting are proved, then there should definitely be a ban on Sriram Sena. Moreover, there is a need for consideration about the role of even those organisations, which patronise it.” Claiming that the sting operation has exposed the “business of riots”, he said, “The trend is a matter of grave concern for the country and society.”
AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh said, “The BJP has no courage to arrest Mr Muthalik.” Asking for strict action against the ram Sene chief, he said, “What other proof is required, when he has been caught on camera demanding cash. But the chief minister needs courage to do it, as he knows it well that his party captures power only through these kind of people who create communal divide.”
On a query whether the party will also demand ban on RSS, Mr Ahmed said it is for the government to decide. “More facts will come and all the organisations with whom the Sene is linked can be probed,” he added.
Mr Singh further said, “When I was chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, I had demanded a ban both on Bajrang Dal and Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).”