Those calling for ban on us are urban Naxals, says Sanatan Sanstha

Sanatan Sanstha leaders said efforts are being made to term devout Hindus as terrorists.

Hindu right-wing outfit Sanatan Sanstha on Tuesday hit back at calls to ban the group, terming those with the demand as “urban Naxals”. Its members have been arrested for plotting terror attacks and being involved in the murders of rationalists.

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel raid the house of a Sanatan Sanstha member Vaibhav Raut at Nalasopara, in Palghar. (PTI/File Photo)

“Efforts are being made now to term devout Hindus as terrorists. As a part of these efforts, the demand to impose a ban was raised immediately after the killings of Dr Dabholkar and Pansare. The investigation in these cases is incomplete; no evidence is forthcoming... still, the pressure is persistently kept for a ban...,” Chetan Rajhans, a Sanstha spokesperson said.

“Leaders of the Leftist movement started propagating their ideology under the veil of socialist activists. Their urban Naxalism is now exposed,” he added.

When asked about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s stand, state unit chief Vinay Tendulkar said, “The central and Maharashtra governments will look into this.”

Calls for a ban heightened after Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Damodar Mauzo got additional security following an intelligence input that his name was on a list of writers that were to be targeted.