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Ban parties linked to Hindu terror suspects: Paswan

Special Correspondent

Seeks wider enquiry into the bomb blasts

Mayawati stalling Central projects
VHP, Bajrang Dal threaten secular polity

NEW DELHI: While seeking a more comprehensive probe by the Centre into the alleged complicity of Hindu extremists in terror attacks in various parts of the country, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has called for a ban on any political party if the accused are found to have links with it.

Hinting at a common thread among Hindu activists found involved in terror attacks, Mr. Paswan demanded the strictest action against people or organisations found guilty. “If their links with any political party are proved, then restrictions should also be imposed on the party,” he demanded. He sought a “wider inquiry” on the bomb blasts that occurred at Jama Masjid in Delhi, Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and Malegaon because the arrested sadhvi Pragya Tahakur and two others have been found connected to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parisahad .

“How would the BJP react to the present situation when it has been making an issue out of every terror attack in the past?” Mr. Paswan asked.

He said the Hindu Jagran Manch, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, owing allegiance to the BJP and the RSS, not only threaten the secular polity of the country but create a serious law and order problem.

Assails U.P. government

In another statement, he criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s ‘denial of permission’ to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, MP, to visit a university in Kanpur. On the Rail Coach Factory land row, Mr. Paswan said Chief Minister Mayawati’s ‘stalling’ of developmental projects initiated by the Centre were neither in the interest of the State nor the poor.

Mr. Paswan also gave the example of non-provisioning of land for the setting up of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), a premier research institute at Rae Bareili.

‘Uncooperative’

Despite the efforts put in by his officials, the State government has been ‘uncooperative.’

“If only the State had taken a positive approach towards the proposals of the Central government in implementing developmental activities in the State, it would have immensely benefited the Dalits, through reservation of seats, in higher education as well as in securing employment.”

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