Declare Sanatan Sanstha a ‘terrorist outfit’: Opposition
Immediately after Vaibhav Raut, an alleged member of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) was arrested by the Maha ATS from Nalasopara on Friday, Shiv Sena leader and minister of state for home (rural) Deepak Kesarkar came forward to defend him and certify that Raut wasn’t associated with HJS. However, Congress has produced evidence of Raut’s connection with HJS and Hindu Gowanshrakshk Samiti — an outfit of cow-protection organisaion. Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has once again demanded that Sanatan Sanstha and HJS be banned. Whereas, Sanatan Sanstha has refuted allegations of their involvement in any anti-social activity and termed Raut’s arrest was similar to arrest of Malegoan bomb blast accused Sadhvi Pragya.
Ashok Chavan, president of state Congress chief, alleged the recovery of explosives from Raut’s house and shop showed that the Sanatan Sanastha was planning to create a major disturbance.
He claimed Raut was a member of the Sanatan Sanatha through his outfit and that he had been seen at various meetings and press conferences of the right-wing group. Demanding the Sanatan Sanstha be declared a “terrorist outfit”, Chavan claimed the alleged killers of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh had links to the right-wing group.
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, claimed the explosives were meant to be set off at religious places with a design to trigger communal riots. Pointing out that August 20 would mark the fifth anniversary of Dabholkar's killing, he said banning outfits like the Sanatan Sanstha and the HJS would be a “fitting tribute” to the slain rationalist.
Jayant Patil, state president of NCP, said the need of the hour was to have a probe into what the Sanatan Sanstha was planning with the explosives. Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson, told reporters that the seizure of explosives from Raut’s residence was “proof ” that the Sanatan Sanstha was involved in “terror activities”.
“The previous CongressNCP government had repeatedly demanded that Sanatan Sanstha be banned but our demand was ignored by the Centre,” Malik said. He alleged that the current governments in the state and Goa, where the Sanatan Sanstha had its headquarters, were sheltering it.Former home minister late R R Patil during his tenure sent proposal twice to the Centre to ban these outfits.
Shiv Sena and the BJP members have always opposed imposing a ban on Sanatan Sanstha and HJS.
When asked about connection of Raut with Sanatan Sanstha, MoS Kesarkar said, “The police will definitely prove in this case whether they have any connection with the murders of rationalist. Out of these three victims, two are from Maharashtra and the government has not found any evidence in these cases. So the police will inquire from these angles too and will take action if any link is found.”