In a near-echo of the right-wing Ram Sene line, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday said his government would not allow the growth of pub culture.
“This (pub culture) is not a part of our culture and it led to unfortunate incidents like the one in Mangalore. We will not allow pub culture in Karnataka,” he told reporters.
Asked whether his government would recommend that the Centre ban the Sri Rama Sene, Yeddyurappa said: “We will discuss it with the police officers and in the cabinet.”
Meanwhile, following Pramod Muthalik’s re-arrest at Davanagere, Sene members warned Mangalore police that if their leader wasn’t released by Thursday night, they should not be held accountable for what ensues. “There’s nothing I can do, they will do as they have to, ” Muthalik said at the Mangalore sessions court on Thursday.
In New Delhi, Yeddyurappa denied links between the Sene and the BJP: “It has no connection with BJP or any other political party. There is a conspiracy...some elements are trying to disrupt peace in the state.”