From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jan 23: ``The activists of Sri Ram Sene did hoist the Pakistan flag in front of the Sindagi Tahshildar’s Office in Bijapur district and there is evidence to prove it,” admitted Karnataka’s Home and Transport Minister R Ashok, while clarifying that the State Government had no plans to ban the right-wing outfit as yet.
Talking to reporters in Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore on Monday, the BJP minister said police have already arrested 7 activists of Sri Ram Sene in connection with the hoisting of the Pakistani flag in front of the Sindagi Tahsildar’s office on January 1.
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``But as of now, there is no move to ban the outfit,” he said.
Asked whether the Government would ban the organisation, the minister said the investigation into the incident was progressing at a certain stage and the Government would spell out its stand when filing charge-sheet in the case before the court.
He made it clear that several formalities have to be gone through and correct, confirmed evidence needed before taking any action for banning the outfit.
``At this stage, there is no need to ban the organization,” he said answering repeated questions from reporters.
Ashok said he would hold discussions with Chief Minister D V Sadananada Gowda on the issue of banning the Sri Rama Sene headed by Prmod Muthalik.
Activists of Sri Ram Sene have been facing charges of disturbing the communal harmony in the State.
In the past also, Sri Rama Sene activists were found involved in attacks on churches and other religious places in Mangalore and other places, the minister said.
The minister refused to comment on the public statements of Pramod Muthalik on the alleged involvement of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh activists in the Sindagi incident of hoisting Pakistani flag with the intention of sparking off communal clashes in a bid to pass the blame to a minority community.
``All facts pertaining to the activities of the Sri Ram Sene outfit would be placed before the Chief Minister and also its role in the past incidents ,” the minister said.
The Home Minister said the number of communal clashes have declined from earlier 28 to 30 to just 7 to 8 a year now.
The number of communal clashes had been reduced drastically during the last three and half years, he said.
Police are keeping a special vigil at places where incidents of communal violence took place in the past five years, he said.
A 80-member commando force has started functioning to deal with such incidents as well to fight naxal menace.
Another 80 personnel would join them soon. They would be deployed in Mangalore, Hubli, Gulbarga and Belgaum, the Home Minister said.