Polls in mind, BJP distances itself from Ram Sene

Worried that the Ram Sene attack on women in a pub at Mangalore may end up hurting its poll prospects, the BJP is distancing itself from the outfit.

BJP leaders condemned attempts by “political opponents” to equate the party with the “rowdy outfit”. BJP president Rajnath Singh was the first to criticise the Ram Sene. He called for firm action against the people involved in the incident.

The party’s prime ministerial candidate LK Advani is yet to make a public statement although he reportedly spoke to Karnataka chief minister BS Yedyurappa.

To make matters worse, the incident has occurred in a BJP-ruled state at a time when the party is making special efforts to woo the youth.

A BJP leader said the incident could be an attempt by political rivals to “malign the BJP”. “The BJP believes that everyone is entitled to their views. But that does not mean that they would resort to violence. Violence in any form should be condemned. Though pub culture is alien to Indian sensibilities, violence is no solution. Parents should educate their children and instil Indian values in them,” he said.

A senior BJP leader said linking the RSS or the BJP with Ram Sene was unfair as “it was just a breakaway group that felt more Hindu than the RSS or Bajrang Dal”. He said banning such outfits would give them undue importance as they should be treated like a nuisance and handled as such. “Moreover, banning an organisation is the job of the central government,” he added.