Govt can’t go against Karni Sena on Padmaavat, let vehicles burn: BJP MLA in sting operation

In a sting operation conducted by Republic news channel, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Mumbai has confessed that the party has its own political reasons for not taking action against the fringe group, Rajput Karni Sena. The biggest one being the upcoming Rajasthan state elections.

The ruling government in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh has been criticized for not taking any action against the Karni Sena even as their members go on a rampage regularly in protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic film, Padmaavat.

“BJP has a majboori (constraint). This is not a question of support. This is a majboori. What to do otherwise? What choice do they have other than to keep quiet? They can’t go against them. Secondly, the whole Hindu society is supporting them. This is the right time for them (Karni Sena). The objective is political power,” he said.

Purohit also added that arresting Karni Sena members would hurt the party politically. “If you arrest them, they will earn the sympathy of the community. They will become like martyrs. Hero. They will turn against the government. Rajput is the dominant caste in Rajasthan. They are in big numbers also. And it’s a violent, warrior caste. They will come on the streets. So, if you antagonize them, it will be a big problem. Very difficult,” he said.  

The MLA, Raj Purohit, believes that the agitation will lead the Karni Sena members to the BJP since both share the same right wing ideology. “Ultimately, they will go to the BJP. The reason is that, somehow it is a part of religious activities. It goes with the right wing approach and right wing approach is BJP. And maximum MLAs from the community are in the BJP, be it Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (sic),” he said.

Purohit also confessed that the main motive of the Karni Sena is to enter politics. “It is politics. To have 7 to 8 members in the Rajasthan elections. So, they will definitely try to exploit that this is their community. So they will tell BJP to give maximum seats to them. They will (even) tell Congress to give maximum seats to them,” he said.

Commenting on the violence, the BJP MLA said, “In Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh it will go away in one or two days. Government is not in a mood to hurt them. Let some vehicles burn.”

The repercussions of Purohit’s confession are yet to be seen. Meanwhile, violence by Karni Sena members continued on Wednesday and Thursday in parts of the country. Last evening, a school bus ferrying children was attacked by Karni Sena members in Haryana to protest against the Bhansali film.