Congress 'clarifies' on Bajrang Dal, but insiders wary of poll dent

BENGALURU: The outcry over Congress's poll manifesto equating Bajrang Dal with the proscribed PFI and pledging a similar ban on the Hindu outfit on Wednesday elicited a clarification of sorts from the party about the objective being to make Karnataka "a paradise of peace" rather than target a particular group.
"We need not mention any organisation in isolation," G Parameshwara, convener of the Congress manifesto committee, said of the backlash. "In our manifesto, we clearly said that we will act against whoever tries to disrupt peace in Karnataka."
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also weighed in, claiming the PFI being named alongside Bajrang Dal in the manifesto was a reflection of Congress's impartial view on any outfit threatening amity, irrespective of religion and community.
"The Supreme Court recently ordered that those who do not act against hate speech will be tried for contempt of court. In keeping with the spirit of the SC order, the manifesto mentions the ban," he said.
Amid talk of Congress having scored an "own goal" by coming out with a controversial pledge just over a week before the polls, some state party functionaries admitted the move could "marginally dent" their prospects in coastal Karnataka.
A Congress functionary claimed "BJP linking Hanuman to Bajrang Dal in election propaganda" might turn out to be "an advantage for us, helping consolidate the minority community's votes".
"BJP's 'Bajrangi' campaign won't work. Let BJP do anything they want. We will get 141 seats for sure," state Congress president DK Shivakumar declared.
But insiders said Congress was a divided house on how the proposed ban on Bajrang Dal had been worded in the manifesto. While some argue that the document should have only mentioned "majority and minority organisations disturbing peace and harmony", others believe the party "had to set a strong narrative closer to elections".
"We believe law and the 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," states the 62-page manifesto.