Central govt moves to ban Bajrang Dal

NEW DELHI: The Centre has stepped up efforts to ban the Bajrang Dal in the face of the Hindu right-wing outfit’s alleged role in anti-Christian violence in Orissa and other states.

The renewed efforts are being made under growing pressure from UPA allies.
Sources said the home ministry has asked states in a fresh communiqué to furnish details of recent violence, including bomb blasts. The ministry has  sought inputs on the outfits involved, with a particular reference to the Bajrang Dal.

The 2-page letter, second of its kind, is being seen as a precursor to a possible ban on the Dal.

Earlier, a similar letter was written by the ministry following a special meeting of the Union cabinet in the aftermath of the violence against Christian missionaries in Orissa last month, in which the Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad were alleged to have played a key role.

UPA allies such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Jan Shakti Party had raised the pitch for a ban on the Dal that was backed by the Left parties.

It is learnt that the ministry’s first missive to states had not evoked much response, with most states either providing incomplete information or not reacting at all.

a_anil@dnaindia.net