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.
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.