By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Kozhikode: Several organizations demanded strict action against Pramod Muthalik and the Sri Ram Sene following the expose of the latter through the sting operation conducted by the ‘Tehelka’ and the ‘Headlines Today’. Doubts have also been raised whether the communal riots in the country were organized and conducted. The videos broadcast on Thursday night had exposed Pramod Muthalik as receiving money to organize riots.
The role of communal organizations like the Sri Ram Sene in the communal riots in the country should be investigated, said Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala state general secretary of the CPI-M. Strict action should be taken against the Sene chief Pramod Muthalik who demanded Rs 60 lakhs to organize riots. Mr Vijayan also criticized the approach of the media which did not take the issue seriously.
The central government should intervene in the matter as the Karnataka government has not yet arrested Pramod Muthalik who sheds blood organizing communal riots for money, said the state unit of the Social Democratic Party of India. The murders in Kasargode and the riots in Mysore and Mangalore which took place recently should be re-investigated in the wake of the disclosure of Muthalik’s mask. There were allegations against Muthalik in inciting communal violence by placing pig’s parts near masjid in Mysore. It should also be revealed as to who had paid Muthalik for organizing riots in Karnataka and nearby places, opined state President KP Muhammed Shareef and general secretary MK Manoj Kumar.
The Sene should be banned, demanded the Progressive Organisations’ Federation in a press conference in Bangalore. The office-bearers also demanded that Muthalik should be arrested and the outfit’s activities be investigated by the CBI.
Nearly 10 communal riots have taken place in Karnataka after the BJP government came to power in May 2008. The riots affected mainly Mangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Shimoga and Kolar. There have been allegations against the role of the Sene in those riots earlier itself. The Sene shot to notoriety by the attack on women in a pub in Mangalore ‘as they violated the Hindu culture’, according to the outfit. It had also created controversy by its statements and some actions against the celebration of the Valentine’s Day.
However, since the tapes of sting operation came out, the RSS and the BJP have denied having any links with the extreme Hindutva group.