Bajrang Dal Ban Controversy: DK Shivakumar Visits Temples; BJP ‘Welcomes’ Step

GG News Bureau

Hubbali, 6th May. As the Congress party faces a major backlash from Hindu organizations after announcing a ban on Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections, state party chief DK Shivakumar has promised to build a new Hanuman temple in the state if his party is elected and is visiting Hindu temples.

While applauding DK Shivakumar’s move, Karnataka BJP leader and former minister KS Eshwarappa stated that the Congress state chief is doing so because he is a Hindu.

“I welcome DK Shivakumar’s move of going to the temple because he is a Hindu. But they are doing these types of politics for the Muslim votes,” Eshwarappa said.

Notably, the Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and other right-wing groups staged protests in several regions of the state in response to the Congress’ announcement to outlaw.

If elected, the Congress promised to ban organizations like the Bajarang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI) from operating.

According to the Congress manifesto, the party is committed to taking tough and decisive action against individuals and organizations that promote enmity among communities based on caste and religion.

“We believe that the law and Constitution are 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. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on such organisations,” the manifesto read.

The BJP also chastised the Congress for equating the PFI and the Bajarang Dal in their electoral programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his election speech in Karnataka with chanting of ‘Jai Bajrangbali’.

Accusing the Congress of hurling abuses at him, PM Modi on Wednesday said people of Karnataka do not support this “black culture” and that they should punish those making abuses by saying ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ when they cast their vote.

The Prime Minister stated at a rally here that the BJP wants to make Karnataka the number one state in India and that it has a path and a plan to do so. PM Modi attacked Congress for its Karnataka election manifesto in Vijayanagara on Tuesday, saying the party was aiming to imprison those who worship Lord Hanuman.

“Today it is my great fortune to bow down to this holy land of Lord Hanuman. But see the misfortune, today when I have come here to bow down to Hanumanji, at the same time the Congress party has decided to lock up Bajrangbali in its manifesto. Earlier Shri Ram was locked up and now they have taken a pledge to lock up those who chant Jai Bajrangbali. It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had problems even with Lord Shri Ram and now it also has problems with those who say Jai Bajrangbali,” he had said.

However, amid the controversy, Shivakumar promised new Hanuman temples in the state if the Congress is elected, just days after the BJP accused the party of attempting to “lock up Lord Hanuman” by vowing a ban on Bajrang Dal if elected.

“We have a commitment to the development of Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman) temples across the state if the Congress party comes to power,” DK Shivakumar said.

“Our party will also prioritise the construction of new Hanuman temples in various parts of the state,” the Congress leader said.

Karnataka will vote on May 10, and the results will be announced on May 13.