Punjab Court Summons Mallikarjun Kharge In Rs 100-Crore Defamation Case

A Punjab court on Monday summoned Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in a Rs 100 core defamation case over the party equating the banned Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) with Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Sangh-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in its Karnataka Assembly election manifesto.

The Sangrur district court summoned the Congress President after a complaint from a Hitesh Bhardwaj, who claims he heads an outfit called "Bajrang Dal Hindustan." He said the Congress in its manifesto compared Bajrang Dal with "anti-national organisations like SIMI and Al-Qaeda" during the recently-concluded state polls.

Naming the Bajrang Dal, the Congress had in its manifesto promised to ban organisations that promote "enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities".

"The Congress Party is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities," the Congress manifesto, called 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (peaceful garden of all communities), read, adding that the party, if voted to power in the state, will take 'decisive action' as per law, including imposing a ban on them.

Outgoing Karnataka minister and BJP leader CN Ashwathnarayan, who retained his seat in the Malleshwaram constituency, on result day challenged the Congress to ban the Bajrang Dal, which is often linked with vigilantism, violence, and moral policing.

"How dare they talk about banning Bajrang Dal. Let them try. We will show what we can do," he said.

The Congress, however, was forced to clarify its promise after massive backlash from BJP leaders, including public taunts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at election rallies. 

The Congress has decided "to lock up" Bajrang Bali devotees, PM Modi had said at one of his rallies, and urged voters to chant 'Jai Bajrangbali' and punish those who "abuse culture".

The grand old party, which later registered a thumping victory in Karnataka, winning 135 of the total 224 Assembly seats, had said it had "no proposal to ban the Bajrang Dal" because banning an organisation like it came under the central government.

But the party also hit back at the Prime Minister, accusing him of "hurting religious sentiments" of devotees by equating Lord Hanuman with the Bajrang Dal, and demanded an apology from him.

Soon after it was clear that Congress was headed for a comfortable win, party workers took potshots at the BJP and the right wing by turning up at party offices dressed as Bajrangbali Hanuman.

"Bajrangbali BJP ke nahi Congress ke sath hain... Bajrang Bali ne BJP par fine lagaya hai (Lord Bajrangbali is with the Congress. He has levied a fine on the BJP," said one of the workers, walking around in a Hanuman costume.