Defamation cases not leaving Congress alone; complaint that Bajrang Dal was compared to Popular Front of India, Kharge receives notice

CHANDIGARH: Punjab court has sent a summons to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rs 100-crore defamation case for comparing Bajrang Dal to the banned outfit Popular Front of India in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections. A notice has been sent on the complaint of Hitesh Bhardwaj, president of Bajrang Dal Hindustan. Kharge is scheduled to appear on July 10. The complaint points out that Bajrang Dal has been compared with anti-national organizations such as SIMI and Al Qaeda.

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge released the manifesto, which included the ban on Bajrang Dal, in the presence of Karnataka Congress President DK Sivakumar and Congress leader Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru. Congress had to face severe criticism after that. The Prime Minister criticized that the Congress, which had earlier taken a stand against Lord Rama, was also opposing those chanting 'Jai Bajrang Bali'. Congress was never proud of the country's heritage. If Congress wins here, the ban on PFI will be lifted. During Siddaramaiah's rule, only corruption happened in the state, Modi alleged.

Congress came forward to explain the incident later. Congress clarified that it has no intention to ban Bajrang Dal and that banning such an organization falls under the central government.