“RSS condemns violence in West Bengal” — Dattatreya Hosabale

New Delhi, 7 May (HS): The Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh Sarkaryavah, Dattatreya Hosabale Friday condemned the incidents of violence that took place in West Bengal post assembly elections.

In a statement, he said, “The RSS condemns this gruesome violence in severest terms. It is our considered opinion that this post-poll-result violence is contrary to the Bharatiya tradition of Co-existence and respect to the opinion of all, as also it is totally opposed to the very spirit of democracy enshrined in our Constitution.”

Criticising the incidents of violence that took place in West Bengal, Hosabale said, “The violence unleashed state wide, soon after the election results came out, is not only highly condemnable but appears to be well conspired also.”

“The anti social elements active in this abhorring violence, misbehaved with womenfolk in most barbaric and despicable manner, brutally killed the innocent people and torched the houses, shamelessly looted the shops and malls and, as a result of the unabated violence, thousands of people including a large number brethren of scheduled castes and tribes, who became shelter-less, were forced to go in search of refuge to save their lives and honour,” said Dattatreya Hosabale.

He further said that we should always remember that all contesting parties belong to our country only and all those participating in the elections – the candidates, their supporters, the voters – are citizens of the nation. “Everywhere from Coochbehar to Sundarbans, there is a widespread fear psychosis among the common people, which is very shameful,” he said.

He said that the role of state administrative machinery was completely passive and they remained mute spectators. Neither the rioters were seemed to be afraid of anything nor was there any initiative by the state police and administration to control the violence.

Dattatreya Hosabale demanded the newly elected government of West Bengal to effectively establish rule of law by immediately containing violence, to initiate legal action against culprits by arresting them without further delay and also to instill a feeling of safety and confidence in the minds of affected people and to take necessary steps for their rehabilitation.

“We also urge upon the Union government to take necessary and all possible steps to establish peace in WB and to make state govt. act in the above direction,” he reiterated.

Hosabale appealed to all the intelligentsia, the socio-religious and political leadership to play their significant role to arouse a feeling of trust and standing by the suffering sections of the society in this hour of crisis, to condemn the violence unequivocally, and also help create an atmosphere of peace, goodwill and harmony.