Sri Ram Sene or Raavan Sene?

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday demanded a ban on the Sri Ram Sene if the allegations of the radical Hindu outfit making a business out of riots were found to be true. Citing a sting operation carried out by a journal, which showed Sene chief Pramod Muthalik and his close aides accepting money in return for an assurance to vandalise an art exhibition, Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmad demanded that the Karnataka government, and other states where the outfit had its network, take strict action against it. “Action should be taken against those who spread hatred in the name of religion,” he said.

The Congress spokesman was, at the same time, dismissive about the attempts being made by the Karnataka government, and the BJP, to disassociate themselves from the Sene. “Those who offered the Sene moral support are trying to distance themselves. But the whole country knows who they are,” Mr Ahmad said.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, however, dared the B S Yeddyurappa government to take action against the Sene. “The chief minister should take strict action. Muthalik should be arrested immediately. What other proof is required, when he has been caught on camera demanding cash,” he said, adding: “Mr Yeddyurappa does not have the courage to rein the Sene chief in.”

In a stunning expose, which was telecast on a news channel, Muthalik and top aides of his outfit were caught on camera agreeing to vandalise an art exhibition in return for money. The ultra Hindu outfit, which shot to fame after attacking women in a pub in Mangalore last year, was seen accepting a “a token contribution of Rs. 10,000 to the cause of Hindutva” from an undercover reporter who posed as an artist.