Mumbai, March 11: The Maharashtra government has decided to ban right wing Hindu organisation Sanatan Sanstha, for its alleged involvement in terror activities and would soon send a proposal to the Centre in this regard.
“The Home Department has started a process of banning the organisation considering its involvement in various unlawful activities. The request would be sent to the Centre soon,” a senior official from the Home Department said today.
Maharashtra ATS had sought a ban on the outfit in 2008 after the arrest of six people linked to the Sanstha for allegedly setting off a bomb at a theatre in neighbouring Thane district during a Marathi play, Aamhi Paachpute.
Even social activists had demanded a ban on the Sanstha, after its was allegedly involved in other bomb blasts at Vashi theatre, Parbhani, Jalna, Purna and Malegaon in Maharashtra, Goa and at Ajmer dargah in Rajasthan.
Two persons, owing allegiance to the Sanstha, were also allegedly involved in the 2009 blasts in Margao on the eve of Diwali which left three dead.
Slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare had exposed the right wing organisation’s network in Maharashtra and neighbouring states and its suspected involvement in the terror activities.
Even the outfit’s mouthpiece Sanatan Prabhat came under scanner for its provocative write-ups, targeting a particular community.
Meanwhile, NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad who first demanded the ban welcomed the Government’s decision. “I was the first to demand the ban on the organisation for its involvement in terror activities. I will press the demand in the ensuing Assembly session of the state beginning from March 14,” he said.
–PTI