Is pub culture desirable?

The attack on a group of women in a Mangalore pub, allegedly by members of the Shri Ram Sene, has the Opposition gunning for his head. But Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya seems unfazed by the volley of criticism directed at the state government after the incident.
In an interview with rediff.com’s Vicky Nanjappa, Dr Acharya claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state acted swiftly and firmly against the culprits involved in the Mangalore attack.

Has your government succeeded in acting against the perpetrators of the Mangalore attack?

We have acted swiftly and taken appropriate action in the matter. We have given the police a free hand and they have done a commendable job. The arrest of so many people is an indication of the action being taken.

Do you agree with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s views about putting an end to the pub culture in the state?

Pub culture is not desirable in the Indian context. I whole-heartedly agree with Yeddyurappa’s stance.

Are you planning to take action against these pubs?

There are laws that govern these pubs. The usual norms will continue to apply to pubs and bars. But implementing the existing law is not the issue here. The Mangalore pub, which was attacked, had not violated any laws.

Is the BJP associated with the Shri Ram Sene?

We are not associated with the Sene. I have always maintained that the Shri Ram Sene is a separate entity and has nothing to do with the BJP.

But they seem to be taking advantage of the fact that the BJP is in power.

That is not true. We have dealt with the Sene with an iron fist and action has been taken without favouring anyone.

I firmly believe that the Sene is a tool in someone’s hand, who is playing a game, to tarnish the BJP.

Can you substantiate that statement?

The ongoing investigations have provided some clues about the Sene being used as a tool. The probe will reveal the truth.

Shri Ram Sene activists have been equated to terrorists and intellectuals like U R Ananthamurthy feel that anti-terror laws should be used against them. Doesn’t this call for a ban on the Sene to ensure a peaceful Karnataka?

There has been no proposal so far to ban the outfit. But the government is considering the matter. Regarding the applicability of anti-terror laws against the activists, as I mentioned earlier, we have not been soft on them and have dealt with an iron fist.

Moral policing is the job of a parent

Karnataka has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this week. After the dastardly attack on women in a Mangalore pub last Saturday by members of the Shri Ram Sena, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa declared that he would not allow ‘pub culture’ in the state.
Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy, one of India’s greatest novelists, a leading figure in contemporary Kannada literature and recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award, is “saddened and disgusted” by the moral policing in his beloved state. He tells rediff.com’s Vicky Nanjappa that moral policing is a parental duty — not a governmental one.

What is your reaction to the recent moral policing?

I feel sad and I feel disgusted. This is not the Karnataka I know.

Do you think the Shri Ram Sena is justified in seeking a ban on pubs to ‘protect Indian culture’?

Banning pubs is not the solution. Such incidents are like terror attacks — they will not stop even if you shut down pubs. I think that the new anti-terror laws should be applicable to the perpetrators of such attacks.

Do you think the Shri Ram Sena should be banned?

Banning the Shri Ram Sena is not the solution. A ban on the entire Sangh Parivar would help prevent such incidents in the future.

Do you feel the Bharatiya Janata Party is finding it difficult to handle the Sena and curb its activities?

The BJP created this monster, which will end up devouring the party and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The BJP had created Narendra Modi [Images], and one day he will devour (BJP y prime ministerial candidate) L K Advani [Images].

Advani feels bad about the demolition of the Babri Masjid, but Modi would never be apologetic about such an act.

Are we at a point of no return?

The solution is to elect a liberal party to power — the BJP is a reactionary party. Such incidents will recur and at the moment, I do not see any hope.

You have been unusually quiet about the Mangalore incident. Usually, you are the first person to speak up against such horrific incidents.

Talking about it makes me feel sad. I feel that Karnataka is no longer the Karnataka I have known. Ours has been a land of great personalities and great writers.

I have been abused every time I have raised my voice against such atrocities. Personal allegations have been made against me. And tell me, did mediapersons like you bother standing up for me when such allegations were being leveled against me?

I only raised my voice about legitimate issues when I felt that society was being wronged. I feel as though I am living in exile in my home land.

Do you think that such an incident would not have taken place under a non-BJP government?

Such an incident would not have taken place had there been a proper government in power. We need governments that believe in progress to form a better society, not reactionary parties like the BJP.

The Shri Ram Sena believes women frequenting pubs in skimpy clothes is not part of our culture. Don’t [Images] you think that someone ought to do something to preserve our culture, which is fading fast?

Why should it be anybody’s problem? If a girl goes to a pub, then why should you and I bother? Their parents should deal with such issues. If I have a problem with my daughter going to a pub, then it is my problem and I have to deal with it. I should advise her about what is right and what is wrong.

Such issues are not the concern of the Shri Ram Sena or the government. The job of the government is to uphold the law and maintain peace, not act as moral guardians of society.

Muthalik in Malegaon net?

With the Mumbai [Images] Anti-Terrorism Squad deciding to question Shri Ram Sena founder, Pramod Muthalik more details on the mysterious Pravin Muthalik, who finds a mention in the Malegaon probe, are likely to emerge.

The ATS which said that it would question Pramod Muthalik in connection with the Malegaon case would try and get more information on Pravin Muthalik, who has been termed as a technical expert and the man who allegedly planted the bomb with two others at Malegaon.

It was rumoured that Pravin and Pramod were brothers. However the Pramod Muthalik camp denies this and says that there is no connection between the two.

According to investigators, Pravin played a major role in the Malegaon blasts [Images] case. As of now the ATS has sketchy details regarding Pravin. It is said that the man is believed to be hiding in Karnataka and is a chartered accountant by profession.

An investigating officer told rediff.com that Pravin was present in Malegaon along with two other accused at the time of the blasts. Further it is also claimed that Pravin was introduced by Sadhvi Pragya [Images] Singh Thakur to Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Purohit. Following this Pravin met Purohit on several occasions and also allegedly attended the meeting in which the Malegaon conspiracy was hatched.

The ATS is also trying to ascertain whether Pravin was the man who planted the bomb on the two-wheeler. Sources said that they would try and ascertain whether there is any connection between the Shri Ram Sena founder Pramod and Pravin Muthalik.

Nabbing Pravin Muthalik is extremely crucial to the interrogation since he could provide clues regarding the whereabouts of Ramji and Dange, the two other persons who are believed to planted the bomb at Malegaon.

The ATS is also relying heavily on the narco-analysis and interrogation of Lt Col Purohit who had said that Pravin was a member of the Abhinav Bharat and had also played an active part in the Malegaon blast.

Meanwhiel, Pramod Muthalik who was produced before a Mangalore court in connection with the pub attack incident said he had nothing to do with the Malegaon case. In an interview with rediff.com a few months back he had said that his outfit was training youth to fight against terror and denied that they were into any sort of subversive activity.

Singh vs Zardari

Chief Executive of India

Title: Prime Minister
Name: Dr Manmohan Singh

EDUCATION /Qualification:
1950: Stood first in BA (Hons), Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh ,
1952; Stood first in MA (Economics), Panjab University , Chandigarh,
1954; Wright’s Prize for distinguished performance at St John’s College,Cambridge,
1955 and 1957; Wrenbury scholar, University of Cambridge ,
1957; DPhil (Oxford), DLitt (Honoris Causa); PhD thesis on India’s export competitiveness

Working Experience [Teaching]
Professor (Senior lecturer, Economics, 1957-59;
Reader, Economics, 1959-63;
Professor, Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1963-65;
Professor, International Trade, Delhi School of Economics,Universit y of Delhi , 1969-71;
Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi, 1976 and Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi,1996 and Civil Servant

Working Experience [INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS] :
1966: Economic Affairs Officer
1966-69: Chief, financing for trade section, UNCTAD
1972-74: Deputy for India in IMF Committee of Twenty on International Monetary Reform
1977-79: Indian delegation to Aid-India Consortium Meetings
1980-82: Indo-Soviet joint planning group meeting
1982: Indo-Soviet monitoring group meeting
1993: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Cyprus 1993: Human Rights World Conference, Vienna

Working Experience [Government Positions]:
1971-72: Economic advisor, ministry of foreign trade
1972-76: Chief economic advisor, ministry of finance
1976-80: – Director, Reserve Bank of India; Director, Industrial Development Bank of India;
– Alternate governor for India , Board of governors , Asian Development Bank;
– Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, IBRD
– November 1976 – April 1980: Secretary, ministry of finance (Department of economic affairs);
– Member, finance, Atomic Energy Commission ; Member,finance, Space Commission
April 1980 – September 15, 1982: Member-secretary, Planning Commission
1980-83: Chairman, India Committee of the Indo-Japan joint study committee
September 16, 1982 – January 14 , 1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of India.
1982-85: Alternate Governor for India, Board of governors, International Monetary Fund
1983-84: Member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister
1985: President, Indian Economic Association
January 15 , 1985 – July 31, 1987: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
August 1, 1987 – November 10, 1990: Secretary-general and commissioner, south commission, Geneva
December 10 , 1990 – March 14, 1991: Advisor to the Prime Minister on economic affairs
March 15, 1991 – June 20, 1991: Chairman, UGC
June 21, 1991 – May 15, 1996: Union finance minister
October 1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam on Congress ticket
June 1995: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
1996 onwards: Member, Consultative Committee for the ministry of finance
August 1, 1996 – December 4 , 1997: Chairman, Parliamentary standing committee on commerce
March 21, 1998 onwards: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha
June 5, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on finance
August 13, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on rules
Aug 1998-2001: Member, committee of privileges 2000 onwards: Member,
executive committee, Indian parliamentary group
June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
Aug 2001 onwards: Member, general purposes committee
2004: Prime Minister of India

BOOKS:
India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth -Clarendon Press, Oxford University , 1964;
also published a large number of articles in various economic journals .

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Adam Smith Prize , University of Cambridge, 1956
Padma Vibhushan , 1987
Euro money Award, Finance Minister of the Year, 1993;
Asia money Award, Finance Minister of the Year for Asia , 1993 and 1994

Chief Executive of Pakistan

Title: President of Pakistan
Name: Asif Ali Zardari

EDUCATION /Qualification:
High School from Cadet College Petaro
Details of higher formal education not known; Claims graduation from London but not available to be verified. As per some account. His official biography says he attended a commercial college called Pedinton School . But a search of tertiary educational institutions in London showed no such school.

Working Experience:
Early days: Working at the family owned Bambino Cinema at Karachi . Some accuse Mr Zardari of small-time ticket frauds to steal money from the family business.
Up till 1987 (marriage to the future Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto): No record.
1988 to date: While no official record of any business exists, Mr Zardari is widely believed to be one of the (if not the) richest man in Pakistan . An unofficial list of family owned businesses, property and accounts exists but the completeness of the same cannot be verified. Mr Zardari has however been involved in various national and international cases relating to his businesses. The most significant European cases are a Swiss money-laundering inquiry and a British civil cases.

Working Experience [Politics]:
1988-1990: Husband of the Prime Minister
1993–1996: Minister of Environment during his wife’s second term as the Prime Minister
Un till 1999: Senator
30 December 2007: Appointed himself as the co-chairman of the PPP, along with his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
September 9, 2008: Zardari was elected president of Pakistan . Sworn in by Abdul Hameed Dogar, whose position as the Chiefe Justice of Pakistan remains a contested issue by an overwhelming majority of the Pakistani legal fraternity.

Working Experience [Other]:
Other experience of Mr Zardari includes his widely believed but not proven involvement in
- Several murders – most famously of his brother in law, possibly his wife
- Wrapping a bomb to the leg of a famous UK businessman to ask for money
- Embezzlement & looting of Billions of Pakistan’s wealth

BOOKS:
None on record

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Marrying the then future and now ex (RIP) Prime Minister of Pakistan
Only serving politician to have spent 10 years in Jail
Told the US VP Candidate that she is “gorgeous” and said : “Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you”. When the photographers asked the two to keep shaking hands, he replied : ” If he insists, I might hug you”. This was one day after the President delivered an emotional speech at the UN in new York waiving a photograph of his deceased wife only months after the murder of his wife.

How the LeT conceals its training programme

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba [Images], which was responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks [Images], goes to extreme lengths to conceal the identity of terrorists while carrying out an attack in India, according to Intelligence Bureau sources.

The interrogation conducted on Ajmal Kasab [Images], Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin have helped the IB piece together details of the things the LeT does to ensure that the identity of the terrorists is concealed at all times.

An IB source told rediff.com that extreme caution is taken while training terrorists and the levels of security are such that none of the security agencies are able to get a wind of what is happening.

The fidayeens are trained in an area which is at least 20 kilometres away from a populated area. Moreover there should be no army camp or a police station anywhere in a 30-km radius.

While earmarking the area, the LeT ensures that there is enough land to train at least 50 men in shooting and physical training. Apart from this the LeT also ensures that there is a medical facility close by.

The LeT takes a lot of precaution in ensuring that the location is kept a secret. Only the top commander and his second in command apart from the trainers are aware of the location. What is interesting is that once the training programme is completed then the place is not used for at least another year and all traces of the camp are immediately wiped out.

Further the LeT also ensures that the area has several exit points. Once training for the day is complete no one is allowed to hang on there and all trainees return to base camp.

The trainees too are strictly vetted before being admitted. Also care is taken to ensure that the trainees don’t know each other. This is done to ensure that there is no bonding between them.

Swim suits are for swimming competitions

The attack on a group of women in a Mangalore pub, allegedly carried out by members of the Shri Ram Sena, has sent shockwaves across the country. The ‘moral’ brigade allegedly assaulted and molested the women, claiming that their actions were against Indian culture.

Pramila Nesargi, senior advocate and former chairperson of the the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, terms the attacks as ‘horrific’, but feels that the issue is being blown out of proportion. In an interview with rediff.com’ sVicky Nanjappa, Nesargi stated that the law should be allowed to take its course in this case.

You are attached to the Bharatiya Janata Party and you are saying that this issue is being blown out of proportion. Why are you turning this into a political issue?

Who is making this issue a political one? When Renuka Chaudhary (Union women and child welfare minister) made a statement on the attack, it was treated as the gospel truth. When we try to make our point, you allege that we are defending the BJP.

An unfortunate incident has taken place and we condemn it. The government is doing its duty and several arrests have taken place. However, I would like to add that such incidents have taken place many times across the country, and the Congress has chosen not to react.

Where was Renuka Chowdhury when the Aarushi case took place? Why wasn’t she vocal at that time? What about the time when thousands of Sikhs were massacred after Indira Gandhi’s [Images] assassination? Did she say anything at that time?

Why do you feel that this issue is being blown out of its proportion?

The Congress is using this incident as a tool to tarnish the BJP’s image. I think that this entire case has been framed. How did the media turn up at the spot during this incident? Someone called up the media and informed them about it.

You seem to be justifying this ‘moral policing’.

No. In the legal framework, there is no place for moral policing. I firmly believe that the right to life of these girls has been affected by this incident. Right to life and right to earn a livelihood are enshrined in our Constitution.

The right to privacy has been recognised by the Supreme Court of India. A woman has the right to do whatever she likes and no person has a right to question that.

But you led the protests against the Miss World contest when it was held in Bangalore? Wasn’t that against the right to life, profession and privacy of the participants?

That was a completely different issue. Our protests were based on the principle that a woman’s body is not available for sale. The women taking part in the Miss World contest were selling their bodies.

Why should women come out in public and display themselves in swimsuits? Swimsuits are meant for swimming competitions and not for display in beauty pageants.

Those girls in the Mangalore pub were not wearing swimsuits. But the Shri Ram Sena made an issue about the kind of clothes they were wearing.

The issue is not about the clothes those girls were wearing. I have heard complaints against the character of girls who frequent these pubs. But I can’t confirm such reports.

Do you think the Shri Ram Sena had the right to target these women?

No. Their action was shameful. No person has the right to assault a woman. In Karnataka, we follow the life of Basavanna, who had said during the 12th century — ‘who is anyone to correct the public? We must correct and protect ourselves.’

As a women’s rights activist, do you think that women will be safer if pubs are shut down in Karnataka?

Shutting down pubs is not the answer to this issue. Girls should be taught better values and their safety should be ensured. If the Shri Ram Sena is demanding the closure of all pubs, then they are speaking rubbish.

Let law enforcement agencies keep a check on the kind of activities that take place in these pubs. If these agencies find something illegal going on, they should act against it. I would like to reiterate that nobody has the right to act as a moral police.

Sena is confused

The Shri Ram Sena shot to the national limelight following the attack on girls in a Mangalore pub. The outfit has been receiving flak for the horrific manner in which some of its activists attacked/molested girls present at the pub.

While most members do not seem to be apologetic about the incident, the Bajrang Dal reacted strongly to the attack. Karnataka Bajrang Dal chief Mahendra Kumar told rediff.com’s Vicky Nanjappa that the protest by the Shri Ram Sena was indecent and added that the outfit does not have the backing of the Sangh Parivar.

What are your thoughts about the Mangalore incident?

I have nothing against the issue. But the manner in which the activists went about it was wrong. It was an indecent protest and I condemn the manner in which it was carried out.

Sir you say that the issue was correct. What exactly do you mean by that?

Some girls do behave indecently in pubs and such behavior should be kept under check.

Fair enough. Does that mean that this right to keep a check on decency should be handed over to the Shri Ram Sena?

No I am not saying that. The government ought to do it. I urge the government to keep a check on indecent behavior by girls and act against it. If the government decides to act and take steps then there is no question of anyone having to interfere.

You mean to say that the Sena did not have to right to stage this protest.

That is not what I am trying to say. The question of right does not arise in a protest. Everyone has the right to protest. All I am trying to say that the manner in which they protested was wrong.

You too have been vocal about the manner in which girls conduct themselves. Do you have similar plans like the Sena?

No. We will never resort to violence. We are conducting awareness camps in colleges and telling girls about the importance of preserving our culture. Some girls who were found to be misbehaving have been warned. That is the extent we will go up to. Violence against women is a complete no for us.

If you notice Mangalore has become a hotbed for such incidents. First the church attacks by the Bajrang Dal and now this.

It is not fair to target the city. Such incidents take place in Bangalore too. But Bangalore is an ocean and many incidents are hushed up. Mangalore however is a smaller place and every incident ends up making news. Let me remind you that a similar pub attack was undertaken by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike in Bangalore some time back. But it did not become a huge issue.

Most members of the Sena are former activists of the Bajrang Dal. What kind of affiliation does the Bajrang Dal have with them? Do you fear that with such issues the Sena will become bigger than the Bajrang Dal?

The Sri Ram Sena was started by Pramod Muthalik, a former member of the Bajrang Dal. It is not a strong organisation across the state barring parts of Mangalore and Belgaum. The Sena is a confused organisation and they do not know in which direction they should be going. We do not fear that the Sena will become big one day. Moreover we are not affiliated in any way with the Sena and neither does the it have any backing of the Parivar.

There are allegations that the Sena is trying to Talibanise Karnataka. What are your thoughts about it?

The Bajrang Dal believes in peaceful co-existence. We cannot make this a Taliban [Images] state at any cost. All we want is that the law should take its course of action and if this happens then there will be no need for such confrontation and violence

A victim’s account

‘Tell me which girl would like to be assaulted in front of a camera and then be called a prostitute on national television,’ said a visibly-shaken victim of moral policing. She along with few other girls were assaulted by a gang of about 40 members of the Sri Ram Sena in Mangalore on Saturday.
One of the victims spoke to rediff.com on condition of anonymity and said that the incident had scarred their lives forever and that their lives will never be the same again.

The victim, a college student in Mangalore, recounted the horror while saying that it all happened in a matter of 15 minutes. By the time they knew what struck them, it was all over.

Sobbing uncontrollably over phone, she says, ‘We were treated like dirt and we did not even know what our mistake was. These activists barged into the pub and dragged us out while repeatedly calling us whores. They manhandled us, tugged at our clothes. It was most embarrassing for some of us who were wearing skirts.’

‘These activists pulled our tops and skirts, molested us and all this took place when the cameras were focused on us. I only wish that the media had blurred the faces while showing the video. All my friends and family members have seen what happened to me that day and it is going to take a long time before I could even venture out. I only hope that the government acts fast and ensures that we girls can walk around safely on the roads once again.’

An eye witness who shot a video of the entire incident also said, on condition of anonymity, that on Saturday a gang of around 40 persons came to the pub. They demanded that they wanted to witness what was taking place inside. However, the pub authorities did not permit them to enter at first. This enraged the mob and they started hurling abuses and it seemed as though the protest was turning violent.

The pub authorities then gave in and permitted the men inside. They barged into the pub and started chasing all the people inside the pub. I, however, do not recount witnessing anyone trying to molest the girls. These men kept hitting each and everyone, who was running out of the pub and in the bargain the girls also got hit.

Sena chief says these girls are his sisters

Last Saturday was a black day for Karnataka when a group of girls were beaten up and allegedly molested at a pub in Mangalore by a group of 40 men, reportedly members of the Sri Ram Sena.

The demand for the closure of pubs in Karnataka by the Sri Ram Sena reminds one of the famous argument advanced by C K Daftary, the former attorney general of India, before the Supreme Court, ‘A Republic without a pub in it will be a mere relic.’
The Sena, which has donned upon itself the responsibility of moral policing in the state, seems unapologetic about the incident. Sena chief Prasad Attavar says a big issue is being made out of nothing.

Attavar, who is now in police custody, spoke with rediff.com’s Vicky Nanjappa minutes before his arrest.

Do you agree that it is a shameful incident or are you proud of it?

I am not proud of it. It is a minor incident in Mangalore which has been blown out of proportion.

Girls were beaten up and also molested. Isn’t that cheap behaviour?

It is wrong. These girls are like my sisters and I would not approve of anyone raising their hand on my sisters. In a group when people react, things are bound to go wrong. But let me also remind you that this is an issue that has been blown out of proportion.

There is a BJP government in Karnataka and the Opposition would do anything to ensure that name of the government is tarnished.

This is the first time that such an incident is taking place. Hasn’t the Sena given Karnataka a bad name?

No. We have not given Karnataka a bad name. Some action was necessary and once again, I say the media hyped it and the Opposition took advantage of the situation. Such incidents have taken place in the past and such a big issue was never made out of it. Why are you singling us out?

You attack women and say that it is just hype. What sort of justification is that?

Once again let me remind you, the Sena’s policy is not to attack women. It was just a protest and in a group when people protest, at times, things are bound to go wrong.

It is clear that you are taking advantage of the fact that the BJP is in power in Karnataka and you think that you can get away with anything.

Please correct yourself and stop hurling accusations. The BJP is in power alright. But that does not mean that we are taking advantage of the situation. The government has cracked down on the incident and so many arrests have taken place. In fact, the government has given the police a free hand to act on the matter.

You say that the issue is being hyped up unnecessarily. Why would you stress so much on that point?

It all depends on the victim. In this case, the women are from well-to-do families and have strong financial backing. This is the reason they are able to go to power centres and argue their case.

There are so many atrocities being committed against women across the country and many of them are from the lower strata of society. Do such cases come out in the open? They don’t and this is for the simple reason that they cannot afford to do so.

Why don’t the likes of (Union Minister for Women’s Welfare) Renuka Chaudhary take up these cases too and make a big issue out of it? Let her fight against dowry and other atrocities, and if she does then I could call her fair.

Girls drinking in a pub is nothing new. Who has given you the authority to don the role of a moral policeman?

There is a need to preserve our culture and there is no denying that. In fact, we will continue to fight to preserve our culture.

Are you saying that women should go to pubs and drink, and do drugs in skimpy outfits? Does even Renuka Chaudhary approve of this?

I promise you that I will put an end to this fight if parents of these girls give the police an undertaking that they are fine with their daughters drinking and doping with skimpy clothes on in pubs.

Earlier, you said that these girls are like your sisters. You being the chief of the Sena could have stopped your men from misbehaving with these girls. Why did you keep quiet?

I was not in Mangalore when the incident took place. By the time I returned, the incident had already taken place. If I was around, I would not have approved of the misbehaviour with women.

Is this the first step by the Sena to make its entry into politics?

The Sri Ram Sena is not a political organisation. We are not interested in politics and we are not rowdies. We only preserve the values and culture of Indian society.

Once again I would like to say that it is a small incident which has been blown out of proportion.

They termed it as a spectacular attack

Terming the Mumbai attack as a spectacular act of terror, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba [Images] and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence would have rewarded each of the Mumbai [Images] attackers Rs 2 lakh had they returned alive.

Intelligence Bureau officials told rediff.com that the LeT has a classification for terror strikes and attacks such as the Mumbai one are termed as spectacular acts of terror. The classification depends on the magnitude of the attacks and the extent of the damage caused.

The LeT has also classified the payments to be made to local and international terrorists. For instance, the Mumbai attackers were classified as local fidayeen and hence their payments were lesser compared to the international fidayeen. Indians who opt to be part of fidayeen missions are classified as international fidayeen, according to the IB.

At the time of recruitment, the locals are paid Rs 25,000 while the amount for the international fidayeen is Rs 50,000. Apart from this the locals are paid Rs 10,000 a month as against the Rs 15,000 per month for an international one. Once a local fidayeen completes a mission, he is paid Rs 250,000 as against Rs 300,000 for an international one. The reward for a spectacular act of terror is an extra Rs 200,000 in case of both types of fidayeen.

The LeT has also ensured that the families of these fidayeen are taken care of. The families are paid Rs 5,000 per month in case there is a death of a fidayeen. This amount too is the same in case of both types of fidayeen. Although the amount is fixed, the LeT has been very liberal in terms of the money to be paid to families. Sabahuddin, the LeT’s chief of operations in Nepal, said during his interrogation that the LeT always handed over money to fidayeen families whenever he requested them to do so. He also said that at the time of recruitment he was assured that his family would be taken care of for life.

The IB says that there is a deliberate attempt by the ISI to pay more to international recruits so that they are lured in easily. There is a deliberate attempt to outsource terror to ensure that the Pakistan link does not crop up.