BELGAUM: In what could be a major setback to the Sri Ram Sene (SRS) on its own turf, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday stated that his government is thinking of imposing a ban on the outfit in Karnataka, along the lines of Goa.
Speaking at a news conference, Siddaramaiah, who was in Belgaum to inaugurate the new police commissionerate, said his government is seriously contemplating a ban on the SRS and similar organisations in the State, which are involved in moral policing and creating communal tension.
When asked if Karnataka was planning to ban the SRS in the State along the lines of Goa, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative.
“We are thinking of initiating action in that direction,” he stated, adding that a decision in this regard would be initiated at a later date.
Justifying his proposal to ban organisations like the SRS in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah stated that incidents of communal tension are on the rise in the state, where certain parties and organisations are involved.
“None of these organisations will be allowed to promote their disguised agenda of spreading communal tension,” warned Siddaramaiah.
Karnataka Home Minister K J George, who was also present on the occasion, stated that the Karnataka police had been directed to stringently initiate action against those outfits causing ethnic tension in the State.
Belgaum (North) MLA Feroz Sait, who presided over the function, also stated that there was a rising demand in Karnataka to ban SRS, as it has no ideologies or any constructive issues.
Meanwhile, SRS supremo Pramod Muthalik has hit out at attempts to ban the SRS in Karnataka.
Speaking to Herald, Muthalik denied claims that the SRS had been banned in Goa and added that the Karnataka chief minister was ignorant about the issue.
“Goa has not banned the SRS, but it has only banned my entry in that State,” he said. “Karnataka cannot ban SRS, which is a registered organisation and is not involved in any illegal activities.”
“We are not involved in any anti-social activities. But in case such a ban is imposed by Karnataka, we will initiate appropriate action,” warned Muthalik.
Meanwhile, Karnataka DGP and IG Lalrukhma Pachaeu, principal secretary for Home Patnaik and other senior police officials from Karnataka were present at the function. Belgaum (North) IGP Dr Bhaskar Rao was handed over the charge as the first commissioner of Belgaum.
