Coimbatore: Hardline Hindutva activist and Shri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik has urged the Tamil Nadu government today, to issue licences to leaders of Hindu outfits to possess firearms for the purpose of what he terms, “self-protection.”
Speaking to reporters, Muthalik, whose extremist group was recently banned by the Goa CM from opening its branch in the state, said though police security is being provided to Hindu outfit leaders, it’s impact will be limited, as it is not possible to give them protection wherever they go. Hence, the demand for licenced weapons.
“Not only Hindu leaders, even Dalits may keep one if they feel their life is in danger. Hindu leaders need guns to protect their lives from extremists as they are being targeted frequently. As many as 127 Hindu leaders were murdered over the last decade. The government should cancel the licence if the weapons are found to be misused,” he said. One interesting point to be noted was, his distinction of Hindu leaders from Dalits.
Muthalik, along with other Hindu leaders also submitted a petition to Coimbatore City Police commissioner AK Viswanathan, which he said will be forwarded to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. He added that he would submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
