Lalu demands ban on Bajrang Dal, VHP

New delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over the recent attacks on minorities and Christians in many parts of the country, particularly Karnataka and Orissa, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today demanded a ban on Sangh Parivar outfits--Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Addressing the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here, the Railway Minister directly accused the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of violence in Karnataka and Orissa, saying these two outfits were responsible for affecting the communal harmony.

It was therefore necessary that the Government must take strict action and ban the two organisations if it wanted to maintain peace and communal harmony in the country, he said.

Mr Lalu Prasad enlisted the steps taken by the UPA government for the upliftment of the minorities and the poor and cited the recommendations of the Sachar Committee for the economic development of the Muslims.

The government was against communal forces and would not allow any such organisation to vitiate the atmosphere, he said.

On the question of terrorism, the RJD chief said while there was need to check terrorists but they should not be seen from a communal angle. Terrorists have no religion, he asserted, adding that there had been increase in terrorist activities after the destruction of Babri Masjid and Gujarat violence.

Secularism was the very basis of the country's constitution and it must be protected at all costs, he said.

UNI KAS JT CS2008