Panaji: Controversial right wing outfit Sri Ram Sene's chief Pramod Muthalik has alleged that the Goa government banned his organisation at the behest of drug lords and pub mafia.
"What was the reason for Sri Ram Sene to be banned in Goa? We don't even have an organisation or even a single member here. Has there been any violence that we have indulged in?" he asked.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had announced on Wednesday on the floor of the House that the Sene had been banned from setting up a branch in the state after the police gave an adverse report about its activities.
Reacting to this, Muthalik alleged: "This has been done at the behest of Nigerian and pub mafia. Anti-nationals are allowed to come in the state but a patriot is banned."
The Sene will approach a court to get the ban lifted so that it can start activities here, he said, adding "I am sure I will get justice."
Muthalik had recently expressed his intention to set up a base in Goa to curb 'the pub culture'.
He had hit the headlines in 2009 after members of his organisation attacked boys and girls at a pub in Mangalore.
Meanwhile speaking in Bangalore, Muthalik termed the Goa government's move as "unconstitutional" and said he was surprised that a BJP-ruled state had done so when Congress had not taken any action against his outfit.
"Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's decision to ban Sri Ram Sene from setting up a branch is unconstitutional," he said.
Muthalik said, "I don't understand why a BJP-ruled state has banned our outfit when many Congress-ruled states do not have any problem with us," he said. "...we do not even have an office or a member registered in Goa," he said.
Asked whether BJP was under pressure to take such a step, he alleged: "There are some BJP leaders, especially Ananth Kumar (Union minister) who do not want to see me growing politically. They are behind the ban on my outfit in Goa."
He had recently expressed his intention to set up base in Goa to curb 'the pub culture'.
"We cannot stop the pub culture, but by setting up our unit in Goa we can spread awareness," he had said.
