MANGALORE: Former state convener of Bajrang Dal Mahendra Kumar was released from the district prison here on Saturday after being granted bail by the Chikmgalur sessions court on Friday in one of the pending criminal cases.
His advocate argued he had already got bail in two cases from the high court and on that basis he should be given bail in this case too. Though Kumar got bail in two cases, he could not be released as there was one more case pending at the Chikmagalur sessions court.
Before leaving for Koppa, after his supporters took out a small procession, Kumar said he will continue to be in the Bajrang Dal and stay committed to the organization . He urged the state to arrest Karnataka Missions Network patron H T Sangliana for encouraging conversions. more
Showing posts with label Bajrang Dal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bajrang Dal. Show all posts
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Tehelka Interview with Bajrang Dal head, Prakash Sharma
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‘Muslims, widen your hearts’
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How do you justify your demographic insecurities? We are a billion plus. Minorities barely make up 18 percent. Orissa has 95 percent Hindus –
Don’t look at it at a national level. Go to the particular district and see. There used to be a few thousand Christians there, now there are several lakhs. Why did only particular portions of India become Pakistan and Bangladesh? Because they were Muslim majority areas. Why are there secessionist movements in Christian dominated regions of the north-east? In the future, there might be fresh talk of partitions. They will raise their populations then ask for partitions. You will not understand these things. We do not oppose Muslims per se, we only oppose statements like Abdullah Bukhari who said recently that they will create such a movement, things will be worse than 1947.
Don’t look at it at a national level. Go to the particular district and see. There used to be a few thousand Christians there, now there are several lakhs. Why did only particular portions of India become Pakistan and Bangladesh? Because they were Muslim majority areas. Why are there secessionist movements in Christian dominated regions of the north-east? In the future, there might be fresh talk of partitions. They will raise their populations then ask for partitions. You will not understand these things. We do not oppose Muslims per se, we only oppose statements like Abdullah Bukhari who said recently that they will create such a movement, things will be worse than 1947.
These are extreme views. Statements like his are criticised by everybody.
No. Read the history of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. Read what Muslim leaders said on the discussion table. They said what proof do you have that this is the birthplace of Ram? What proof do we have that our fathers are who we think they are? For centuries we have believed that Ayodhya is Ram’s birthplace and Muslims can have the courage to ask us for proof of that! One of them said that if tomorrow my wife delivers a baby in a Boeing 737, am I going to take the Boeing? This is the level of conversation there was. Despite the fact that you and I are hostile to each other and think so differently on things, we have been able to talk for a couple of hours. You have been able to question me on everything. I can guarantee you will not be able to have such a conversation with a Muslim leader. If you do manage such a conversation, I will accept I was wrong and start listening to what you say. I do not want to criticize the Koran, but if they say that the Koran teaches that kafirs should be defeated and this will be rewarded with heaven, shouldn’t Muslims themselves debate this? You asked why there can’t be discussion instead of violence -- why don’t people like you debate these things? Today every Muslim looks suspect to me and to others. Why is this the case? Because one does not see openness and a desire for discussion among them. There may be a few who want to debate and discuss, but largely Muslims themselves are not ready to talk about all the secularism you are talking about.
No. Read the history of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. Read what Muslim leaders said on the discussion table. They said what proof do you have that this is the birthplace of Ram? What proof do we have that our fathers are who we think they are? For centuries we have believed that Ayodhya is Ram’s birthplace and Muslims can have the courage to ask us for proof of that! One of them said that if tomorrow my wife delivers a baby in a Boeing 737, am I going to take the Boeing? This is the level of conversation there was. Despite the fact that you and I are hostile to each other and think so differently on things, we have been able to talk for a couple of hours. You have been able to question me on everything. I can guarantee you will not be able to have such a conversation with a Muslim leader. If you do manage such a conversation, I will accept I was wrong and start listening to what you say. I do not want to criticize the Koran, but if they say that the Koran teaches that kafirs should be defeated and this will be rewarded with heaven, shouldn’t Muslims themselves debate this? You asked why there can’t be discussion instead of violence -- why don’t people like you debate these things? Today every Muslim looks suspect to me and to others. Why is this the case? Because one does not see openness and a desire for discussion among them. There may be a few who want to debate and discuss, but largely Muslims themselves are not ready to talk about all the secularism you are talking about.
Many influential maulvis have recently put out a fatwa against militant jihad.
That is just drama! It is too little too late.
That is just drama! It is too little too late.
What can one do if you denounce even positive things?
That is because one does not see a genuine change of mood and desire for dialogue among ordinary Muslims. We might have different mothers and cultures, but why can’t they accept the three big important cultural references of this land – the cow, the Ganga, and the motherland Bharatmata as motherland as being a part of their lives? These could have a common sanctity between us.
That is because one does not see a genuine change of mood and desire for dialogue among ordinary Muslims. We might have different mothers and cultures, but why can’t they accept the three big important cultural references of this land – the cow, the Ganga, and the motherland Bharatmata as motherland as being a part of their lives? These could have a common sanctity between us.
Why must you insist on these things? Every culture has its own beliefs. There are other ways of coexisting. All this divisive talk has no end. Hindus, Muslims, Gujjars, Meenas.
There is a big difference between different Indians fighting domestically over a share of the State’s pie and those who challenge the very sovereignity of India.
There is a big difference between different Indians fighting domestically over a share of the State’s pie and those who challenge the very sovereignity of India.
With regard to Muslims also, it is a question of equal opportunity. The Sachar Committee report --
No, no, please don’t compare the two. Don’t compare the desire for jihad and Islamic states with fights over domestic government handouts. I come back to the simple point I made earlier: I am ready to invite Muslim maulvis to read the namaaz five times in the most revered temple in Kanpur. Are they ready to let us read the Hanuman chalisa just once in the Jama Masjid or any of their mosques? The uncomfortable truth you don’t want to face is that they are not open. On any issue, let Muslims take the initiative, every road will open up. Go back to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement itself. You will find the only reason the talks broke down so totally is because Shri Shahbuddin made that incendiary statement: “What proof do you have Ram was born here?” If you question our very identity, the basic fount of our culture -- Did Ram exist or not -- what discussion can there be? Let them take the initiative on anything. Let them amicably give us the three birthplaces, and there will be no more fight. Does any Muslim leader have the courage and statesmanship to initiate talk on this?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Karnataka convener of Bajrang Dal Mahendra Kumar Arrested
Attack on churches: Karnataka cops arrest Bajrang Dal convener
MANGALORE: Karnataka convener of Bajrang Dal Mahendra Kumar was on Friday night arrested by the police in connection with the spate of attacks on churches and prayer halls in parts of the state. ( Watch )
"Mahendra Kumar has been arrested tonight," Western Range Deputy Inspector General of Police A M Prasad said.
Soon after the attacks on churches on September 15 in parts of Mangalore and Udupi in coastal regions and in Chikamaglur in Malnad area, Bajrang Dal owned responsibility for them, claiming that incidents of forced conversion had prompted them.
A day after issuing a strict advisory to BJP-ruled Karnataka in the wake of continued violence against Christians, the Centre on Friday issued a stricter one to the state asking it to act tough against perpetrators of crimes and check violence as the developments were in "breach of the Constitution and the law of the country".
Although the Centre draws its power from Article 355 of the Constitution to issue any kind of advisory/directive to states, the home ministry preferred not to go on record on this provision with officials maintaining that there was no other provision which allowed them to direct the states.
A senior official said: "It is the language and tone of the advisory which matters and makes it different from each other. The one issued to Karnataka is certainly a very strict one which, unlike other advisories, asked the state government to not only take urgent steps to control violence but also report the matter immediately to the Centre."
Strict advisories — a milder version of the Karnataka one — were also sent to Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala by the home ministry, asking them to ensure against "recurrence of any further incidents of violence and vandalism". While Orissa and Madhya Pradesh had reported some incidents in the last few days, Kerala came into the picture due to some disturbance along the border with Karnataka.
The kind of language used in the missive sent to Karnataka, however, appeared to be a virtual indictment of the state government's poor handling of the situation arising out of attacks on churches and Christians. It also mentioned how the violence vitiated the atmosphere and there was apprehension "not only within the country but also on international level". Asked whether the kind of advisories sent to Karnataka could be taken as a precursor to impose President's rule, a senior official said such advisories should not be taken as a step before going in for President's rule until the Centre asks the governor to send a report of law and order situation in the state.
"Option of imposing Article 356 (President's rule) will arise only when a governor sends a report that the law and order situation is alarming and the governance cannot be carried out in accordance with the Constitution," said an official.
Explaining the seriousness of the advisories, the official said the one sent to Karnataka was issued by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta to the chief secretary of the state unlike the other ones which are sent from the level of a joint secretary. Gupta in the missive even asked the chief secretary to bring it to the notice of the Chief Minister - a rare one as other advisories never carry such direction.
Karnataka orders judicial inquiry into violence
CM B S Yeddyurappa, who on Thursday had ruled out a judicial inquiry as demanded by the National Commission for Minorities, opposition parties and religious organizations, chose to do a U-turn.
He announced a judicial probe by a retired HC judge and said the Corps of Detectives investigation will also go on simultaneously.
Yeddyurappa, who had earlier said that the police was competent enough to conduct the CoD probe said: "A judicial probe will look into the attack on churches and the violent incidents that followed." Link
MANGALORE: Karnataka convener of Bajrang Dal Mahendra Kumar was on Friday night arrested by the police in connection with the spate of attacks on churches and prayer halls in parts of the state. ( Watch )
"Mahendra Kumar has been arrested tonight," Western Range Deputy Inspector General of Police A M Prasad said.
Soon after the attacks on churches on September 15 in parts of Mangalore and Udupi in coastal regions and in Chikamaglur in Malnad area, Bajrang Dal owned responsibility for them, claiming that incidents of forced conversion had prompted them.
A day after issuing a strict advisory to BJP-ruled Karnataka in the wake of continued violence against Christians, the Centre on Friday issued a stricter one to the state asking it to act tough against perpetrators of crimes and check violence as the developments were in "breach of the Constitution and the law of the country".
Although the Centre draws its power from Article 355 of the Constitution to issue any kind of advisory/directive to states, the home ministry preferred not to go on record on this provision with officials maintaining that there was no other provision which allowed them to direct the states.
A senior official said: "It is the language and tone of the advisory which matters and makes it different from each other. The one issued to Karnataka is certainly a very strict one which, unlike other advisories, asked the state government to not only take urgent steps to control violence but also report the matter immediately to the Centre."
Strict advisories — a milder version of the Karnataka one — were also sent to Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala by the home ministry, asking them to ensure against "recurrence of any further incidents of violence and vandalism". While Orissa and Madhya Pradesh had reported some incidents in the last few days, Kerala came into the picture due to some disturbance along the border with Karnataka.
The kind of language used in the missive sent to Karnataka, however, appeared to be a virtual indictment of the state government's poor handling of the situation arising out of attacks on churches and Christians. It also mentioned how the violence vitiated the atmosphere and there was apprehension "not only within the country but also on international level". Asked whether the kind of advisories sent to Karnataka could be taken as a precursor to impose President's rule, a senior official said such advisories should not be taken as a step before going in for President's rule until the Centre asks the governor to send a report of law and order situation in the state.
"Option of imposing Article 356 (President's rule) will arise only when a governor sends a report that the law and order situation is alarming and the governance cannot be carried out in accordance with the Constitution," said an official.
Explaining the seriousness of the advisories, the official said the one sent to Karnataka was issued by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta to the chief secretary of the state unlike the other ones which are sent from the level of a joint secretary. Gupta in the missive even asked the chief secretary to bring it to the notice of the Chief Minister - a rare one as other advisories never carry such direction.
Karnataka orders judicial inquiry into violence
CM B S Yeddyurappa, who on Thursday had ruled out a judicial inquiry as demanded by the National Commission for Minorities, opposition parties and religious organizations, chose to do a U-turn.
He announced a judicial probe by a retired HC judge and said the Corps of Detectives investigation will also go on simultaneously.
Yeddyurappa, who had earlier said that the police was competent enough to conduct the CoD probe said: "A judicial probe will look into the attack on churches and the violent incidents that followed." Link
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