The Opposition has demanded that the right-wing Hindu outfit Sanatan Sanstha be banned after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested one of its alleged members in Nallasopara on Friday with a large cache of explosives.
Vaibhav Raut, who is also allegedly affiliated with the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, is accused of planning to instigate riots by setting off explosions in religious places.
Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, “This man already has cases of rioting against him and the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has come out in his support, terming the arrest ‘Malegaon part 2’.”
Mr. Vikhe-Patil said, This clearly shows the intent of this organisation. The government must take immediate steps to ban all extremist organisations.”
He said members of right-wing Hindu organisations have been found to be behind the murders of rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, CPI leader Govind Pansare, professor M.M. Kalburgi, and Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh.
Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said, “The Congress government had sent a proposal to ban the Sanatan Sanstha, but no action has been taken against the group so far. Its office-bearers can be spotted in the Mantralaya interacting with ministers and officials. The government must take cognisance of the fact that this organisation is involved in committing murders and planting bombs.”
‘Investigate matter’
The Nationalist Congress Party demanded an investigation into the arrests. NCP State unit chief Jayant Patil said, “Had it been a member of a minority group who had been found with the explosives, he would have been accused of being linked with Pakistan. Today, explosives were found with a member of Sanatan Sanstha. The government must investigate the matter in detail.” Mr. Patil demanded that an investigation be conducted into the Malegaon blast as well following the seizure of explosives in Nallasopara.
Meanwhile, the arrested Mr. Raut used to frequent the platforms of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. In April 2016, he had addressed a press conference under the Samiti’s banner opposing the visit of former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Mr. Raut had said that the student leader should be stopped from entering Mumbai as he would ‘spoil the city’s atmosphere’. He had said, “According to us, he should not be allowed to live in India.”
