Talking to Express Newsline, karyalay pramukh of the Bajrang Dal's local unit Babubhai Savalia said, ``The police are too busy taking haftas to notice the flow of liquor in and around Surat. That is why we are going to strike on liquor dens and suppliers of the brew.

``We used to tip off the police, but that's of no use since they never acted on them. Now we'll do the needful ourselves.''

Ironically, the police admit there is little they can do to prevent the BD from taking law into its own hands.

``We registered a complaint when they attacked a video-parlour (allegedly showing pornographic films), but it is difficult to make arrests without evidence'', said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.

But wasn't the Bajrang Dal even the slightest bit apprehensive about the police backlash? Said Savalia heroically, ``Can they do anything more than put us behind bars or hang us?''

However, the Dal appears to have gauged the public pulse right. Social workers and residents of `wet' areas are reportedly supporting their plan, as Savalia does not hesitate to point out. ``There is no formal call but people are associating with our activities on their own'', he told Express Newsline.

Noted Varachha-based social worker P B Dhakecha hit the nail on the head when he said, ``No good men are coming forward to take up such causes. So when the Bajrang Dal does so, it is hailed.''

While critical of saffron tactics -- he said the Shiv Sena protest against Dilip Kumar over his liberal stand on the controversial film Fire was not proper -- Dhakecha admitted that the Dal drive was finding support in his area.If unwittingly, the administration, too is justifying the Dal's strong-handed methods by moving in on areas highlighted by the saffron activists. District Collector RM Shah has only recently suspended for six months the licences of the Aavkar, Nilpanth and Sapna video parlours on Ved Road and Rajkamal Video in Trikamnagar for showing obscene films. Their deposits, too, have been forfeited and they have been warned that repetition of the crime would lead to cancellation of licences.

But even Dhakecha admitted that the police were the right agency for such steps. ``When the police can take care of such activities, why give the Bajrang Dal a chance?'', he asked.But is the police listening?