Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for Bajrang Dal

Bajrang Dal is not BJP, listen only to govt: Amit Shah on Ram Temple

by

(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah steered clear of controversial issues like Ram temple and uniform civil code on Friday as he indicated that the party will fight the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls on development plank which, he insisted, has been the Modi government’s agenda.

With RSS affiliates Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal raising the pitch for Ram temple construction, an issue which fuelled the party’s rise in 90s, Shah asserted that such outfits cannot be equated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He also wondered on what basis the opposition was accusing his party of causing communal polarisation ahead of the state polls early next year. Political rivals and several public intellectuals say cases of religious and political intolerance have gone up since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014.

At a press conference to publicise the “achievements” of the Modi government, Shah chose to stick to the narrative of the central government’s “pro-poor” and “pro-farmers” work as he faced a volley of questions on BJP’s stand on controversial but core party issues in the light of crucial UP polls.

“These are part of our manifesto and if you read it you will find that it is mentioned there as to how we intend to work on them,” he said.

The BJP has maintained in its manifesto that it supports Ram temple construction but it should be done either with consensus or as per judicial decision.

“Bajrang Dal is not BJP,” he shot back when asked on its and VHP’s pitch for temple construction.

“You should only listen to the government,” he said on issues raised by these outfits, seen as BJP’s sister organisations.

To a question about armed training being given by Bajrang Dal to its activists in parts of UP, he said the state government should take action if there is anything unlawful.

Shah, who is credited with the party’s landslide win in the state during the Lok Sabha polls, was tight-lipped over whether it will name a chief ministerial candidate in the state, saying the issue is yet to be discussed in the party.

Home minister Rajnath Singh had on Thursday appealed to people at a rally in Saharanpur to end BJP’s 14-year-long exile and Shah was on Friday asked “who will be its Ram?”

“Ram will be decided. Public will decide it,” the BJP chief said.

He also asserted that BJP will form the next government in the state, adding that he saw Samajwadi Party as the main challenger.

Shah had said on Wednesday that the Samajwadi Party government’s “corruption and misgovernance” will be his party’s main issues besides development.

(Agencies)

Faizabad Bajrang Dal chief held over holding weapons training camp

by

Bajrang Dal

Faizabad: The convenor of Faizabad and Ayodhya unit of Bajrang Dal Mahesh Mishra was arrested today for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims and spreading communal hatred, days after the right-wing Hindu outfit held a weapons training programme, police said.

The Hindu right organisation had on May 14 held a training camp where Bajrang Dal activists executed a mock drill of eliminating “rioters and terrorists” wearing scull caps and checked scarves, traditionally worn by Muslims.

After police registered a case against office bearers and activists of the saffron outfit at Kotwali police station in Ayodhya late Tuesday night, Mishra was arrested this evening, Faizabad Senior Superintendent of Police Mohit Gupta said.

Police said Mishra and others were booked for spreading communal hatred and breach of peace as they projected Muslim youths as rioters and terrorists at the training programme.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik had yesterday defended holding of weapons training camp by the hardline organisation, which faced criticism by the state’s ruling Samajwadi Party.

“This arms training is for the purpose of self defence. There should not be any objection from any quarter. The intention behind this exercise is what counts,” Naik had told reporters.

However, Samajwadi party had slammed the training sessions and termed it as a “terrorist training”.

“Such kind of mock drills can be conducted only by government agencies. Now organisations are conducting these in their own way, like we see ISIS, Hizbul Mujahideen and naxals doing it. I see this as a terrorist training,” Syed Asim Waqar,” SP spokeperson said.

Photographs of Bajrang Dal cadres brandishing rifles, swords and even sticks in the camps had gone viral on social media and news channels.

(PTI)

No one should object Bajrang Dal for arms training camp: Governor

by

Bajrang Dal

Ayodhya/Aligarh: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today virtually defended the move of extremist Hindutva outfit Bajrang Dal which had recently organised an arms training camp for its cadres in Ayodhya.

“This arms training is for the purpose of “self defence”. There should not be any objection from any quarter. The intention behind this exercise is what counts,” Ram Naik said while replying to the queries of the media.

Naik was speaking on the sidelines of the annual function of the Saraswati Vidya Mandir school at Atrauli, about 30 kilometres from here.

Photographs of the saffron cadres brandishing rifles, swords and even lathis (sticks) in the camps in some Bajrang Dal-managed schools had gone viral on social media and news channels.

Seeking to allay apprehension on the on the issue of arms training camps, Naik said, “Those who cannot defend themselves, cannot ultimately defend the country and there is nothing wrong if some youth are getting arms training purely for self defence”.

The radical group is of the view that martial art and weapon training was needed as it could not rely on the police and politicians to protect the Hindu community from the alleged threat that they face.

The annual ‘self defence’ camp of the right-wing outfit, which was organised in Ayodhya, is now scheduled to be held in Sultanpur, Gorakhpur, Pilibhit, Noida and Fatehpur, sources in Bajrang Dal, which is the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), said.

Bajrang Dal has faced allegations of rioting and violence against religious minorities. The outfit has also been accused of running vigilante cow-protection programmes.

(Agencies)

Alleged Bajrang Dal members vandalise church in Raipur, thrash worshippers

by

church-attack

Raipur: A group of about 15-20 youths sporting saffron bands on their forehead and allegedly belonging to right wing Hindu outfit Bajrang Dal today barged into a church on the city’s outskirts while prayers were underway and vandalised the premises and thrashed those present.

The president of Chhattisgarh’s Christian Forum Arun Pannalal alleged that the slogan-shouting attackers belonged to Bajrang Dal and that women and an infant were also not spared while the police in the state capital remained tight-lipped on their identity.

“Around 15-20 youths entered the church premises located at Kachna village while prayer was underway,” Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police Neeraj Chandrakar told PTI.

They allegedly damaged chairs, fans and other articles in the premises and even beat up the people present, he said. The accused were reportedly sporting saffron bands on their forehead, he said. They fled the spot when the police arrived, he added.

Based on the victims’ complaint, a case has been registered under sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and 147 (rioting) of the IPC, he said.

Three motorcycles belonging to the accused were seized from the spot, he said, adding efforts are on to nab the miscreants. Pannalal claimed that today’s incident was the fourth attack on a Christian place of worship in the past one month in the state.

“Around 15-20 men with saffron bands on their forehead entered the church while Sunday prayer was under way at around 12 PM, and started vandalising the premises and started breaking everything,” Pannalal said and claimed that the “Bajrang Dal youth indulged in sloganeering and were raising Jai Shree Ram slogans”.

“They started damaging chairs and fans. They did not spare women and even tore up their clothes. They also thrashed an infant,” he said. The assailants were heard accusing that people were being converted in the church, he said.

“A group of 40-50 people from downtrodden families in the village had set up the church under a tin shed, where they perform prayers every Sunday,” he said, refuting the conversion charge.

He said, “We are thankful to the police that they reached immediately and took the necessary action.”

(PTI)

Bajrang Dal activists parade man for converting 3, making them eat beef

by

UP-Man-Head-Tonsured

Kanpur: A man was on Friday tonsured, garlanded with shoes, and paraded on the streets of Orai in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly by Bajrang Dal activists who accused him of converting three Hindu men to Christianity and forcibly making them consume beef.

Deputy inspector general (DIG), Jhansi range, Sharad Sachan said three FIRs had been lodged in connection with the incident, including two against Bajrang Dal members, who have not been named, and one against the alleged victim, Awdhesh Savita.

“On Friday afternoon, a mob of nearly 200 men, allegedly comprising Bajrang Dal activists, reached the house of Awdhesh at Randar in Jalaun district, brought him out forcibly, and took him to Orai (district headquarters),” a police source said.

“He was paraded through the town after his hair, eyebrows and moustache were shaved off, and garlanded with shoes,” the source added.

When police reached the spot and tried to take Awdhesh to the police post, the crowd refused to let him go. Subsequently, senior officers arrived with reinforcements, including police and PAC personnel. He was then taken to Orai Kotwali police station, the source said.

The mob reportedly accused Awdhesh of luring three Hindu men to a church in Kachwaha village of Mirzapur district on the pretext of attending a satsang and converting them to Christianity.

Police said a local Bajrang Dal member brought forward one of the three alleged converts, identified as Sangam Jatav, at Orai, and asked him to narrate the entire story in public on Friday. Jatav was reportedly “the only person who managed to escape the clutches of the men in Mirzapur”.

The Bajrang Dal member also claimed that all the three were forced to consume beef against their will. Not only this, Sangam has also alleged that pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses were thrown on the floor and they were made to walk on them, reports said.

“Prima facie, Sangam’s allegations appear suspicious, but we are investigating the matter,” Jalaun SP N Kolanchi said.

(Agencies)

Rape and murder threat: Case filed against 22 Sangh Parivar activists

by

Vidya Dinker

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru East (Kadri) police have filed FIR against 22 abusers owing allegiance to Sangh Parivar including Bajrang Dal Mangaluru city co-convener Puneet Raj Kottari for posting hate comments against social activist Vidya Dinker.

 

The hate abusive campaign on Facebook against Ms Dinker, coordinator of Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development, began after she lodged a police complaint against Bajrang Dal activists for forcefully stopping the screening of Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dilwale in Mangaluru.

It was Kottari, who instigated the online hatemongers to target Ms Dinker, by posting a derogatory comment on his Facebook wall against her. After police forced him to remove his abusive post a Facebook page named ‘Veera Kesari’ posted another provocative meme against Ms Dinker and provided an open platform for the miscreants to abuse and intimidate her.

Within a day the post attracted hundreds of abusive comments from Sangh Parivar activists. While most of the saffron activists poured sexually coloured abuses on Ms Dinker a few commenters also threatened to rape and murder her.

The FIR was filed after Ms Dinker lodged a formal complaint against the online abusers. The police said that they are investigating the case.

(Agencies)

Bajrang Dal workers protest Dilwale’s screening in Bihar

by

Dilwale

Patna: Bajrang Dal activists in Bihar on Friday protested against the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Dilwale” and stopped the film’s screening at two theatres, police said.

Angered by Shah Rukh’s statement on intolerance in the country, they shouted slogans and opposed the screening in Araria and Patna districts.

At one of the theatres, the activists burnt an effigy of Shah Rukh and threatened to take their protest to different places in the coming days.

(Agencies)

 

VHP, Bajrang Dal are trying to disrupt peace in state: CM Siddaramaiah

by

siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed Hindutva groups here on Friday, November 13 and said, “VHP and Bajrang Dal are trying to disrupt peace in the state.” CM slammed opposition parties and said that they have resorted to disturb social harmony in the state under the guise of religion. Hidden animosity within them is spreading hatred among the people, he said.

“We decided to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi to announce that we all are one”, he added. His comment comes in the wake of the recent bandh call and violence across the state by pro-Hindu groups against Tipu birth anniversary.

Normal life has been paralysed due to the bandh call by right wing groups over Madikeri clashes in protest against celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. The bandh call given across the state turned violent and miscreants pelted stones at private and government buses in Puttur and Surathkal of Dakshina Kannada district.

VHP groups protested in front of Town hall in Bengaluru on Friday, condemning Madikeri violence. Security has been tightened in sensitive areas across the state.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara held a meeting with top police officials and reviewed law and order situation following the Tipu row.

The Chief Minister has ordered a magisterial probe into the Madikeri clashes and Deputy Commissioner C Shikha will lead the probe, it has been reported.

BJP MP Venkaiah Naidu, speaking on the recent Tipu row said, “Both good and bad opinions have been prevailing on Tipu Sultan. I won’t comment on local issues as a central minister,” he said.

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) supremo Deve Gowda, while commenting on the violence said that the state government’s decision to celebrate Tipu’s anniversary was wrong and that this has led to communal clashes. Earlier, Muthalik’s speech had led to violence in Hassan, he said.

The state government’s decision to hold Tipu’s birth anniversary celebrations across the state has sparked several protests by the BJP and right-wing groups. The protests turned violent in Madikeri on the day of the celebration and the unrest has been extended to Dakshina Kannada district as well. Agitating over the death of a VHP leader in Madikeri on November 10 and the murder of a youth at BC Road on November 12, the district unit of Bajrang Dal and VHP have called for dawn-to-dusk bandh on Friday, November 13. However, it received mixed response in few parts of the state as several buses were running and shops were kept open.

(Agencies)

Prof. K S Bhagwan receives anonymous threat letter

by

K S Bhagwan

Mysuru: Rationalist Prof K S Bhagwan received an anonymous letter in English reportedly warning to kill him at his house on Wednesday. His wife said that the letter was delivered by the postman around 12.45 pm at Bhagwan’s house on Udayaravi road, Kuvempunagar. The letter was duly handed over to Kuvempunagar police station. The Police are reported to have been guarding the house round-the-clock.

The letter typed using a typewriter, addressed Bhagwan derogatorily and read as follows: “Don’t relax thinking you are safe. Haavina dvesha 12 years. 3 successful. Next you. Will never miss the target. No police security will save you when we come. We know how to do. Count your days”. (sic)

Sources said that the letter may have originated from Bengaluru, as per the seal on the order according to the report of investigators.

Earlier, soon after the Kannada scholar was shot dead by two unidentified men, a Bajrang Dal co-convener Bhuvith Shetty had posted a controversial tweet at 10:41 am on August 30 that said, “Then it was U R Anantamoorty and now it is M M Kalburgi. Mock Hinduism and die a dog’s death. And dear K. S Bhagwan you are next”, which had gone viral.

Soon after Bantwal police were informed about the controversial tweet, they registered a suo moto case at Bantwal police station.

Mysuru Police immediately provided Bhagwan with a personal security guard. Prof K S Bhagawan had reportedly received threats after his controversial speech on Bhagavad Gita at a recent event.

(Agencies)

MM Kalburgi murder: Rama Sene leader Prasad Attavar detained in Mangaluru

by

Prasad Attavar

Mangaluru: Prasad Attavar, the chief of Rama Sene has been detained by central crime branch (CCB) police of Mangaluru in connection to the murder of Kannada scholar and researcher Prof M M Kalburgi.

It is said that Prasad has been detained for interrogation by CCB. Prasad has been handed over to Bunder police station and is being interrogated, sources said.

As per sources, some messages related to M M Kalburgi were circulated in the social media carrying Prasad Attavar’s photo. Police have been reportedly questioning him to ascertain whether the messages originated from him as his photograph was used.

In 2009, Prasad Attavar had been arrested in connection to the pub attack. At that time, he was in Pramod Muthalik’s Sri Rama Sene. He later broke away and formed his own Rama Sene.

It may be recalled that on August 31, the Bantwal police had arrested Bhuvith Shetty, said to be co-convenor of Bantwal Bajrang Dal unit, for posting a tweet ‘justifying’ Kalburgi’s murder and warning that Prof K S Bhagwan would be ‘next’. He was later released on bail.

Prof Kalburgi was shot dead at his residence in Dharwad on August 30. The police have released sketches of the suspects.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives