Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who is campaigning in Karnataka for state assembly election, has supported the demand for ban on Sangh Parivar organisation Bajrang Dal, saying that organisations that spread hatred in the country and society should be banned.
The Congress, in its election manifesto for Karnataka, has promised to ban Bajrang Dal if voted to power. The three-day campaign by Akhilesh Yadav in Karnataka concluded on Sunday.
Yadav’s statement comes in the wake of the Congress promising action against the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India if it wins the assembly election in Karnataka.
In a statement issued by the Samajwadi Party, Yadav said there was a time when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had banned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
“Inflation and unemployment are at their peak during Bharatiya Janata Party rule. Development has stopped,” Yadav said and added, “Organisations that spread hatred in the country and society should be banned. There was a time when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had banned the RSS as well.”
In its election manifesto for Karnataka released on Tuesday, the Congress stated that it is committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as Bajrang Dal and Popular Front of India that are “spreading hatred” among communities on grounds of caste and religion. The action will include a “ban” against such organisations, the party promised.
Karnataka goes to the polls on May 10.