Images Of Arms Training Camp By Bajrang Dal Go Viral, Congress Raises Questions

The police have said that they have received no complaint so far, reports the news agency.

Images shared on social media of the arms training camp by Bajrang Dal in Kodagu district of Karnataka has been come under question by the Congress.

New Delhi: Photos and videos of a purported arms training camp organised by the Bajrang Dal for its activists allegedly undergoing training holding guns and ‘trishul diksha’ are being widely shared on social media.  

The camp was part of the 'Shaurya Prashikshana Varga' that took place from May 5 to 11 at Sai Shankar Educational Institute, at Ponnampet in Kodagu district, reported news agency PTI citing sources. Around 400 members of the outfit were said to have taken part in the event. 

There was an arms training camp for a week in Sai Shankar Educational Institute in Ponnampet, Kodagu district, Karnataka. Event organised by Bajrangdal. Weapons were distributed to several Bajrang Dal Karyakartas. pic.twitter.com/abQXTPWNAT

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 14, 2022

The participants were trained in self-defence, but no arms were distributed as alleged in some quarters, said a Bajrang Dal member, quoted by the news agency. 

Authorities of the school, where the camp was held, said the premises was being used for 'Prashikshan varga' training for several years and were unaware of training with arms.

The training camp has drawn flak from the opposition as Congress leaders expressed concern over the episode. 

All India Congress Committee in charge of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Goa MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao took to Twitter and wrote, “Why are Bajrang Dal members receiving ams training? Isn't training in firearms without a proper licence an offence? Isn't this a violation of the Arms Act 1959, Arms Rules 1962? And Why are BJP leaders openly attending and supporting this activity?

Why are #BajrangDal members receiving ams training?
Isn't training in firearms without a proper license an offense?
Isn't this a violation of the Arms Act 1959, Arms Rules 1962?
And Why are @BJP4India leaders openly attending and supporting this activity?https://t.co/ySTcP8F4eS

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) May 16, 2022

Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad also tweeted: "At this age, most young men set out to achieve dreams. In Karnataka, Bajrang Dal is destroying young lives by training them to unleash violence in the name of religion. This needs to be stopped at any cost".

At this age, most young men set out to achieve dreams.

In K'atka, Bajrang Dal is destroying young lives by training them to unleash violence in the name of religion.

This needs to be stopped at any cost @BSBommai, @DgpKarnataka, @JnanendraAraga https://t.co/m0ATOEiAM0

— Rizwan Arshad (@ArshadRizwan) May 16, 2022

The police have said that they have received no complaint so far, reports the news agency.