We haven’t said we will ban Bajrang Dal says senior Congress leader Moily

The Congress which released its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections earlier this week has clarified that it never said that it would ban the Bajrang Dal.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister of Karnataka Veerappa Moily said at a press conference, "we never said we will ban the Bajrang Dal. We said that organisations like the Popular Front of India, Bajrang Dal disrupt peace in society."

"I was a law minister in Karnataka. The state government cannot impose a ban. Even the Bajrang Dal cannot be banned by the state government. State party president, D K Shivakumar will give a clarification on this," Moily also said.

I can tell you this as a leader, Moily said while adding that even the Supreme Court had given a directive to stop hate politics.

The manifesto of the Congress had said that the party was committed to taking firm action against individuals and organisations that spread enmity or hatred, whether among the majority or monitory communities.

It had named the Popular Front of India, which has already been banned by the Centre and the Bajrang Dal.

The inclusion of the Bajrang Dal had drawn sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had accused the Congress of insulting Lord Hanuman.

He also said that the Congress had a problem with Lord Ram.

The Congress however hit back at the Prime Minister and said that it is shameful that he has made such a remark.