State demand to ban right-wing outfits pending with MHA

Maharashtra has answered all queries raised by the Centre regarding Sanatan Sanstha, Abhinav Bharat: R R Patil.

Home minister R R Patil said Tuesday the state government had demanded a ban on right-wing Hindu organisations for promoting terror activities in Maharashtra and was pursuing the matter with the Centre.

"Our proposal demanding a ban on Sanatan Sanstha and Abhinav Bharat is pending with the Union ministry of home." The Centre has taken note of the demand and sought a detailed proposal, which was sent a couple of years ago.

Patil said, "The state home department has answered queries raised by the Union home ministry regarding the proposal citing role of members of Sanatan Sanstha and Abhinav Bharat."

The home minister recalled how then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, probing the Malegaon bomb blasts, had exposed the link of right-wing outfits to the terror attack.

Patil said, "NCP was the first to bring to notice the proactive role of right-wing groups in promoting terror activities."

Justifying the statement of Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde accusing right-wing groups of promoting terror, state NCP president Madhukar Pichad said, "During 2008-9, NCP president Sharad Pawar drew, for the first time, the attention of the people to right-wing groups involved in terror activities."

Patil said, "Maharashtra Police and ATS, which probed the Malegaon blasts, were trying to establish the vehicle used and its owner. In the course of investigations, it was revealed members of Sanatan Sanstha and Abhinav Bharat played a vital role.

"It was not an easy task for state police to convince the Centre. As per guidelines, we had to provide a lot of documents and ensure links (of right-wing groups) outside Maharashtra. The role of these outfits in Goa helped us take a step forward in demanding the ban."

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