New Delhi: Even as the Congress has demanded a ban on Bajrang Dal for the first time, the opinion in the party remains divided on the efficacy of such a step and its political implications.
It is merely "posturing" and "symbolism" as any ban before the elections may prove to be counter-productive and have wide-ranging political ramifications, a senior party leader said.
"With continuing violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka and our limitations in the use of Article 356,this was the least we could have done. If you cannot act (impose Presidents rule in Orissa), at least threaten to act against those indulging in violence," the leader said on the demand for banning the saffron outfit.
He admitted that in the type of political agenda being set by the BJP (communal polarisation), posturing and symbolism was equally important for the Congress to retain its "secular vote bank".
Party spokesman Manish Tewari, however, does not see any political implications in the proposed ban.
"Even the RSS has been banned thrice after Independence. There are no politician implications of a ban," he said while raising an open demand for a ban on the outfit.
An AICC General Secretary, however, said that the party-led UPA cannot afford to go ahead with the ban and make "martyrs out of lumpen elements of the Bajrang Dal", more so when Lok Sabha elections are round the corner.
The ban may lead to filing of court cases challenging the step and allegations that the Centre was "harassing" Sangh Parivar outfits, he said.
"Even you (media) would cry foul if the ban is imposed without the guilt of the Bajrang Dal being proven in the court of law. It is not that easy," he admitted, hinting that the Sangh Parivar could use it for political mobilisation on communal lines on the eve of Lok Sabha elections.
There is also an apprehension in Congress circles that the Bajrang Dal would merely change its name if banned and continue its activities.
"Suppose they change their name to Hindu Dal, Bheem Dal or Hanuman Dal or any other name they fancy from Bajrang Dal and continue to act in the same manner, what would you do," a senior Congress leader asked.
He referred to the banned SIMI and said its former members have formed new organisations or joined an existing outfit without much of a problem and continue their terror acts.
Another view in the Congress is to make the laws against those spreading communal hatred tougher.
"There should also be a scrutiny of the activities of all those who indoctrinate young minds and an agency should supervise the functioning of such institutions which are spreading hatred in the name of providing education," a senior party leader said.
