TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Toning down his hardline rhetoric, Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik has maintained he will take along Muslims and Catholics in his endeavour in fighting back pub and drug culture in the state.
Speaking on HCN’s interview show Hot Seat, Muthalik said he will also meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and try to redress the misunderstandings created by some Karnataka BJP leaders about him. He also expressed his wish to enter BJP again by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and convincing him for the same.
He said that the Muslim community is against the pub culture in Goa. After what happened in Mangalore and Sri Ram Sene’s campaign against pub culture, Muslim community supported us. In Goa too we are expecting their support,” Muthalik asserted. He added that even a dress code is being imposed by Catholic priests in churches, which is clear indication that everyone is in tune with the stand of Sri Ram Sene.
He said that the organization will take along both these communities in its work in the State. He ruled out that the Sene would replicate its protests in Mangalore. “I have apologized for the attacks. I have said that the method of handling the problem was wrong. In Goa we are not going to attack any pub. We are going to create awareness against pub, drug and sex culture. We are not going to take law in our hand. We will work within the legal framework,” Muthalik added.
The Sri Ram Sene chief said that they have managed to eradicate 40 per cent pub and drugs culture in Karnataka, which is one of the states where they have been working.
He alleged that drug and pub mafias were opposing his entry in Goa as they fear that Sri Ram Sene will successfully hamper their businesses.
When asked about his statement that every Hindu should have weapon in their homes, Muthalik said that he still stands by that statement but Hindus means all the Indians and was not referring to any particular religion. “Hindus means all the Indians,” said Muthalik whose speech appeared toned down during the entire interview.
The leader said that he will try to re-enter the BJP from where he was suspended within few hours of admission.
