Perceptions differ on VHP, Bajrang Dal, says BJP

"The Congress is accusing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal of  murder and violence in Orissa. This is far from truth. The VHP and Bajrang Dal are patriotic organisations and are not engaged in any sort of violence in Orissa, Karnataka or elsewhere," Dr Surinder Jain, spokperson of the VHP claimed.

Bhartiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh too had described the VHP and Bajrang Dal as "patriotic organisations".

Just because SIMI and some Muslim organisations  ought to be banned, it should not mean that a Hindu organisation should also be banned," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad Singh said.

When his attention was drawn to the statements of Biju Patnaik, Sharad Yadav and other prominent leaders who have described Bajrang Dal as a violent organization, Prasad said that there was ideological difference but BJP does not agree with that perception.

The VHP spokesperson said Radhakant Nayak, the Congress MP was allegedly involved in the killing of Swami Laxmananda.