New Delhi/Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a potshot at the Congress over its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 that promises to ban right-wing outfits like Bajrang Dal. The PM said that the main opposition party first had problems with ‘Lord Ram’ and now they have decided to put behind bars those who chant “Jai Bajrangbali”.
“At a time when I have come to pay my respects in Lord Hanuman’s land, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Bajrangbali,” said the Prime Minister while addressing a rally in poll-bound Karnataka’s Hospet.
#WATCH | Today it is my great fortune to bow down to this holy land of Hanuman ji and see the misfortune, today when I have come here, at the same time the Congress party has decided to lock Bajrangbali in its manifesto. Earlier Shri Ram was locked up and now they have taken the… pic.twitter.com/F2IqRrQ8xp
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023
PM Modi made these remarks within hours of Congress part releasing is manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections in which it compared the banned Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) with Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Sangh-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The grand old party said in its manifesto that it will ban such organisations that promote “enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities”.
The Congress manifesto said, “We believe that law and constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations.”
Reacting to it, PM Modi said, “First they (Congress) locked up Lord Rama and now they have vowed to lock up those who chant ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’.” “It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Lord Rama and now it has difficulty with those who say ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’,” he added.
The Prime Minister also told the crowd that the BJP was committed to making Karnataka the number one state. “I pray for the accomplishment of this vow by bowing my head at the feet of Lord Hanuman.” “BJP will never let anyone damage the honour and culture of Karnataka,” PM Modi vowed.
The PM added that the Vijayanagara dynasty and its history were the pride of India. Invoking the name of the glorious ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty, he said Sri Krishnadevaraya with his resources had immortalised this region. He had strengthened business ties with various countries and had made the culture of Karnataka famous worldwide, the PM added.