Cong on defensive amid backlash over 'Bajrang'

The Congress on Thursday appeared to go on the defensive to mitigate any potential damage from its manifesto promise to ban organisations such as the Bajrang Dal in Karnataka, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and right-wing organisations holding protests and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa at several places in the state.

Two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened the promised ban on the Bajrang Dal to locking up Lord Hanuman -who is also referred to as Bajrang Bali and his devotees, former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa burnt the Congress manifesto, and Bajrang Dal activists tore the document.

With the BJP turning the manifesto promise into a major poll issue, the Congress appeared to feel the heat. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar did a temple run at Chamundi Hill in Mysuru, and promised to build more Hanuman temples or renovate the existing ones all over the state.

"The temples of Lord Rama's escort Anjaneya (Hanuman) are everywhere. We have constructed Anjaneya temples, and we too are his devotees, especially we Kannadigas in this state, where there is evidence to show that Anjaneya was born here," Shivakumar, who is contesting the election from Kanakapura constituency in Ramanagara, told reporters.