The Congress party’s manifesto promise to ban Bajrang Dal, a right-wing Hindu organization, if elected to power in the Indian state of Karnataka, has sparked reactions from several states across the country. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has hinted at a possible ban on the group in his state, while opposition parties have criticized the Congress party’s stance.
Speaking about the issue, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “We have rectified the mess created by Bajrangis here. If necessary, we will think of banning Bajrang Dal in Chhattisgarh also. Right now, according to the problem of Karnataka, it has been said to ban it there.” His statement comes after the Congress party’s manifesto promise to ban Bajrang Dal in Karnataka.
However, the opposition parties have been critical of the Congress party’s stance. In Rajasthan, BJP leader Satish Poonia targeted the Congress party and said, “The only difference between Congress and BJP is that BJP hurts the institutions that conspire against the country and Congress on the institutions that talk about nationalism.”
In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP tried to corner the Congress party by making the Bajrang Dal ban an election issue. The Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh wrote a letter to PCC Chief Kamal Nath asking whether he is in favor or against this decision of the Congress. On this, Kamal Nath replied, “Only the Supreme Court talks about banning organizations that spread hatred, what is new in this.” However, he also said that the meeting of the Manifesto Committee will decide on all matters.
The Congress party’s manifesto promise has created mixed reactions across India, with some supporting the party’s stance, while others are critical of it. As of now, it remains to be seen if the Congress party will fulfill its promise to ban Bajrang Dal if elected to power in Karnataka.
