They Have Vowed To Lock Those Who Chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali': PM Modi Attacks Congress Over Its Karnataka Manifesto

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (2 May) launched a scathing attack at Congress over the party's Karnataka election manifesto in which it has vowed 'action' against organisations like Bajrang Dal for allegedly spreading "enmity or hatred".

Addressing a rally in the poll-bound state, PM Modi said that earlier the Congress party locked Bhagwan Ram and now they are vowing to lock those who chant "Jai Bajrang Bali", an apparent reference to Bajrang Dal activist.

"I'm fortunate to be at the birthplace of Shri Hanuman, but it is also unfortunate to know that at the same time I am here, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock Bajrang Bali," PM Modi said.

"First they (Congress) locked Lord Rama, now they have vowed to lock those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," PM Modi said at a rally in Hospet, reports Times Now.

"It is country's misfortune that Congress had a problem with Lord Rama, and now it has difficulty with those who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added.

The Congress earlier today (2 May) released its manifesto for the 10 May Assembly elections in Karnataka.

In its manifesto, the Congress has equated banned islamist extremist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) with Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the RSS-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and stated that it will ban such organisations that promote "enmity or hatred whether among majority or minority communities".

The Congress Party's manifesto, titled 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (peaceful garden of all communities), pledges to "take firm and decisive action" against individuals and organisations that foster communal hatred based on 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 manifesto said, reports NDTV.

The manifesto reportedly added that if the party is voted to power in the state, it will take decisive action as law, including imposing a ban on them.

The party also vowed to repeal "all unjust laws and other anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government in the state within a year of coming to power.