Gehlot seeks ban on Bajrang Dal

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, SEPT. 30. The Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, has asked the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to consider imposing a ban on the Bajrang Dal. He has also sought the facts and circumstances necessitating the recent ban on the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Mr. Gehlot reminded the Prime Minister that he too had, in a letter written on August 20, sought a ban on ``organisations which threaten communal peace and harmony of our country''.

``I wish to repeat my earlier request that other similar organisations which foment trouble and violence between the communities should also be considered for imposition of a similar ban,'' he said.

``The language and tone of the proclamations made by Bajrang Dal in its public meetings sharply reflect the non- secular and fundamentalist nature of its ideology which will undoubtedly lead to disruption of peace and tranquility of our country,'' he added.

``It is necessary that these measures are not one- sided and that an objective view is taken of the insidious activities of the Bajrang Dal which are equally dangerous.''

Referring to the ``Trishul Diksha'' programme of the Bajrang Dal, he told Mr. Vajpayee that it had ``all the potential of creating a dangerous situation in the country.'' The trishuls (tridents) were sharp weapons measuring 10.16 cm which could kill but at the same time escape the provisions of Section 4/25 of the Arms Act, 1949, and other notifications, he said.

Offering to send a sample of the trishuls recently distributed in the State to Mr. Vajpayee for his personal examination, Mr. Gehlot said the trishuls were crafted to escape the provisions of the law but could be used as dangerous weapons against innocent people.

Mr. Gehlot warned the Prime Minister that there was a major potential threat to the whole country in Bajrang Dal. ``We have examples elsewhere in the world where the forces which encouraged terrorist groups have themselves had to face attacks from the same groups. If the Government is lax in dealing with organisations such as the Bajrang Dal, there may come a time when these very organisations will prove to be a threat and danger to your party, the BJP itself, and the whole country,'' he said.

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