Congress Affirms No Ban on Bajrang Dal, Vows Action Against “Goons” and “Rioters”

Bhopal, August 17, 2023: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, a prominent Congress leader, stated that if the party secures power, it will not impose a ban on the Bajrang Dal. Singh emphasized that the focus would be on addressing the actions of “goons” and “rioters” rather than an outright prohibition.

Speaking in Bhopal, Singh expressed, “Bajrang Dal is a group of goons and anti-social elements. This country belongs to all, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christians, this is a country for everyone. So Modi ji (PM Narendra Modi) and Shivraj ji (MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan) stop dividing the country. Establish peace which will lead to development.”

Responding to queries about a potential Bajrang Dal ban, Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, clarified, “We will not ban. There may be some good people in Bajrang Dal. But, those who are goons and involved in rioting will not be spared.” Singh’s stance reflects the Congress party’s attempt to balance its approach while addressing the concerns around the Bajrang Dal.

The Congress party has frequently been accused by the BJP of adopting “soft Hindutva” for electoral gains. Recently, MP Congress Committee President Kamal Nath’s interactions with a controversial chief priest raised questions about the party’s stand on issues related to Hindutva.

Singh defended Nath’s remarks, asserting that they were misconstrued. However, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized both Singh and Nath, alleging that they prioritize political interests over the values of Hindutva, the nation, and society.

The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between political parties and their approach to religious and societal issues, as parties aim to strike a balance between different ideologies while garnering voter support.