Bajrang Dal row in Karnataka: BJP gleeful, Congress firm

BENGALURU: While the governing BJP believes Congress has given it the advantage by suggesting a ban on right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal in its manifesto, political observers are divided on whether it would affect the party’s prospects.
Congress, at least officially, is sticking to its stand, saying that it has only declared it will penalize all those who disrupt peace and harmony.
Congress is seeking to form the government in Karnataka and had, by and large, run a clean campaign. Most opinion polls had suggested it would secure a simple majority, but the decision to appear secular by indicating it would ban Bajrang Dal and Popular Front of India has given incumbent BJP a pole to flog the party with.
Party sources say senior functionaries, who discussed content while the manifesto was drawn up, were divided on the issue. While some argued that they should just say “majority and minority organisations” disturbing peace andharmony, others insisted that they needed to set a strong narrative closer to elections.
BJP functionaries and workers are now going to town saying “Hanuman worshippers” are being targeted. While Congress has shrugged off the row, a social activist and political commentator said the issue will hurt Congress’ prospects since it has angered worshippers of Lord Hanuman.
“The repercussions will be bad,” said Vishwas Shetty, a political commentator. “Congress has been very hopeful of a strong comeback or resurgence in Karnataka, but theparty’s ambition looks unlikely to be fulfilled.”
MN Patil, a retired professor of political science, echoed the sentiment, saying: “From the manifesto, it is apparent that Congress is not a secular party. I won’t hesitate to say that the party’s ideology is not pro-Hindu. Just when they seemed to be sitting pretty, they have given BJP an issue on a platter.”
Patil pointed out that Bajrang Dal, which is affiliated to Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Karnataka, was not as active as it was some 10 years ago, and their presence was limited to the coast and parts ofMumbai-Karnataka.
“By naming the organisation, Congress has not only whipped up religious sentiment but also given the organisation a new lease of life as its members are now campaigning against the manifesto,” said Patil.
However, functionaries of the state unit of Congress sought to downplay the effect of the proposed ban, although they admitted that it could “marginally dent” party prospects in coastal Karnataka.
“In our manifesto, we clearly said that we will act against whoever tries to disrupt peace in Karnataka,” G Parameshwara, convener, Congress manifesto committee. “Our motto is to ensure Karnataka is a paradise of peace. To meet this end, we will take all possible measures and actions. We need not mention any organisation in isolation.”
Another senior Congress functionary said: “It won’t affect Congress. BJP is linking Hanuman to Bajrang Dal for election propaganda. There is also an advantage as this will help us consolidate minority community votes.”