Sri Ram Sena - Revision history

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	On 27 October 2008, activists of the Sri Ram Sena ransacked the central office of the [[Samajwadi Party]] in [[New Delhi]], in retaliation for defamatory comments alleged to have been made by the Samajwadi leadership against slain Delhi Police Inspector M C Sharma. Taking responsibility for the attack, the Sri Ram Sena's national general secretary Binay Kumar Singh told the Press Trust of India that he and his supporters had entered the premises of the Samajwadi Party office and damaged some vehicles parked inside, as well as furniture and hoardings.<ref name="IE-SPattack">{{Cite news \| url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sri-ram-sena-activists-attack-sp-office-in-delhi/378540/ \| title = Sri Ram Sene activists attack SP office in Delhi \| location = New Delhi \| date = 27 October 2008 \| newspaper = The Indian Express}}</ref>		On 27 October 2008, activists of the Sri Ram Sena ransacked the central office of the [[Samajwadi Party]] in [[New Delhi]], in retaliation for defamatory comments alleged to have been made by the Samajwadi leadership against slain Delhi Police Inspector M C Sharma. Taking responsibility for the attack, the Sri Ram Sena's national general secretary Binay Kumar Singh told the Press Trust of India that he and his supporters had entered the premises of the Samajwadi Party office and damaged some vehicles parked inside, as well as furniture and hoardings.<ref name="IE-SPattack">{{Cite news \| url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sri-ram-sena-activists-attack-sp-office-in-delhi/378540/ \| title = Sri Ram Sene activists attack SP office in Delhi \| location = New Delhi \| date = 27 October 2008 \| newspaper = The Indian Express}}</ref>

	The members of the Sena attacked young men and women after dragged them out [[2009 Mangalore pub attack\|of a pub in Mangalore]], on 24 January 2009.<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Other Country: Dispatches from the Mofussil\|page=107\|publisher=penguin\|author=Mr̥ṇāla Pāṇḍe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Mangalore_pub_attack_17_held_Ram_Sena_unapologetic/rssarticleshow/4033613.cms\|title=Mangalore pub attack: 17 held, Ram Sena unapologetic\|publisher=Indiatimes.com\|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203084206/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=3 February 2009\|title=Mangalore pub row: Sri Ram Sene men get bail\|publisher=ibnlive.com\|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206133603/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=6 February 2009\|title=Mangalore pub attack\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|access-date=3 February 2009\|location=Chennai, India\|date=2 February 2009}}</ref> A group of 40 activists of the Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia — The Lounge" and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were violating traditional Indian values. Two of the women were hospitalized. The video of the incident has become one of the most watched clips on [[YouTube]], though how the TV crew happened to be ready at the 'unannounced' attack is not known.<ref name="thaiindian">{{cite web\|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/young-india-vents-anger-over-mangalore-incident-on-internet_100147756.html\|title=Young India Vents Anger Over Mangalore Incident on Internet}}</ref~~><ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/~~> Commenting on the incident, founder Pramod Muthalik said "Whoever has done this has done a good job. Girls going to pubs is not acceptable. So, whatever the Sena members did was right. You are highlighting this small incident to malign the BJP government in the state."<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/>		The members of the Sena attacked young men and women after dragged them out [[2009 Mangalore pub attack\|of a pub in Mangalore]], on 24 January 2009.<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Other Country: Dispatches from the Mofussil\|page=107\|publisher=penguin\|author=Mr̥ṇāla Pāṇḍe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Mangalore_pub_attack_17_held_Ram_Sena_unapologetic/rssarticleshow/4033613.cms\|title=Mangalore pub attack: 17 held, Ram Sena unapologetic\|publisher=Indiatimes.com\|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203084206/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=3 February 2009\|title=Mangalore pub row: Sri Ram Sene men get bail\|publisher=ibnlive.com\|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206133603/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=6 February 2009\|title=Mangalore pub attack\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|access-date=3 February 2009\|location=Chennai, India\|date=2 February 2009}}</ref> A group of 40 activists of the Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia — The Lounge" and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were violating traditional Indian values. Two of the women were hospitalized. The video of the incident has become one of the most watched clips on [[YouTube]], though how the TV crew happened to be ready at the 'unannounced' attack is not known.<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/><ref name="thaiindian">{{cite web\|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/young-india-vents-anger-over-mangalore-incident-on-internet_100147756.html\|title=Young India Vents Anger Over Mangalore Incident on Internet}}</ref> Commenting on the incident, founder Pramod Muthalik said "Whoever has done this has done a good job. Girls going to pubs is not acceptable. So, whatever the Sena members did was right. You are highlighting this small incident to malign the BJP government in the state."<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/>

	In January 2009, Muthalik announced a plan to target couples found dating on 14 February, Valentine's Day. He said "Our activists will go around with a priest, a [[turmeric]] stub and a [[mangalsutra]] on 14 February. If we come across couples being together in public and expressing their love, we will take them to the nearest temple and conduct their marriage."<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Wersquoll-not-spare-dating-couples-on-Valentinersquos-Day-Muthalik/article16328446.ece \| location=Chennai, India \| newspaper=The Hindu \| title=We'll not spare dating couples on Valentine's Day: Muthalik \| date=6 February 2009}}</ref> On 9 February 2008, [[P. Chidambaram]] the Indian [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)\|Minister of Home Affairs]], said, "Sri Ram Sena is a threat to the country. The Centre is watching its activities with great concern".<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Sri_Ram_Sene_is_a_threat_to_the_country_Chidambaram/articleshow/4099436.cms \| work=The Times Of India \| title=Sri Ram Sene is a threat to the country: Chidambaram \| location = Kollam, Kerala \| date=9 February 2009}}</ref>		In January 2009, Muthalik announced a plan to target couples found dating on 14 February, Valentine's Day. He said "Our activists will go around with a priest, a [[turmeric]] stub and a [[mangalsutra]] on 14 February. If we come across couples being together in public and expressing their love, we will take them to the nearest temple and conduct their marriage."<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Wersquoll-not-spare-dating-couples-on-Valentinersquos-Day-Muthalik/article16328446.ece \| location=Chennai, India \| newspaper=The Hindu \| title=We'll not spare dating couples on Valentine's Day: Muthalik \| date=6 February 2009}}</ref> On 9 February 2008, [[P. Chidambaram]] the Indian [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)\|Minister of Home Affairs]], said, "Sri Ram Sena is a threat to the country. The Centre is watching its activities with great concern".<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Sri_Ram_Sene_is_a_threat_to_the_country_Chidambaram/articleshow/4099436.cms \| work=The Times Of India \| title=Sri Ram Sene is a threat to the country: Chidambaram \| location = Kollam, Kerala \| date=9 February 2009}}</ref>

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Ideology: Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

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{{Short description|Hindu nationalist militant organization}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
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| key_people = Manglam Lal Srivastava and [[Pramod Muthalik]]
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The '''Sri Ram Sena''' (literally, "The Army of Lord [[Rama]]"), or '''Sri Ram Sene''', is a right-wing Hindu group headed by Manglam Lal Srivastava and [[Pramod Muthalik]]. It has received media attention for its acts of [[moral police|moral policing]], including the [[2009 Mangalore pub attack]].
{{neo-fascism}}

==Ideology==
It is a right wing organisation.<ref name="Facebook_Scroll">{{cite news|author=Scroll Staff|date=14 December 2021|title=Facebook did not ban Bajrang Dal due to concern for employees' safety, business prospects: Report|work=Scroll.in|url=https://scroll.in/latest/981158/facebook-did-not-ban-bajrang-dal-due-to-concern-for-employees-safety-business-prospects-report|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Deccan Facebook">{{cite news|date=14 December 2020|title=Why Facebook is on the fence about banning Bajrang Dal|language=en|work=Deccan Herald|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/why-facebook-is-on-the-fence-about-banning-bajrang-dal-927238.html|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Social Quint">{{cite news|last1=Gupta|first1=Sonal|last2=Goel|first2=Kritika|date=20 December 2020|title=Hate & Misinformation – Inside Bajrang Dal Pages on Facebook|language=en|work=TheQuint|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/how-fb-groups-pages-spread-hate-in-the-name-of-bajrang-dal|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

==Formation==
The Sri Ram Sena was founded in the late 1960s by Kalki Maharaj, the right-hand man of [[Shiv Sena]] leader [[Bal Thackeray]], and also a former member of the [[Bajrang Dal]] and the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]].<ref>{{cite web |title=With So Many Vanguards Of Values & Prides, India Has A 'Sena' Disease. Here's A List |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/here-are-the-many-senas-of-india-that-have-taken-up-the-burden-of-saving-indias-values/ |website=ScoopWhoop |access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref>

==Activities and accusations ==
The group is mentioned in the charge sheet filed by the [[Maharashtra]] Police following the [[2006 Malegaon blasts]]. In the transcript of a conversation, the prime accused, [[Prasad Shrikant Purohit]], is heard praising the Shri Ram Sena and calling [[Pramod Muthalik]] its leader.<ref>{{cite web|title=Muthalik in judicial custody, ATS to probe Malegaon link|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muthalik-in-judicial-custody-ATS-to-probe-Malegaon-link/articleshow/4047074.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/> Muthalik staunchly defended Pragya Singh Thakur, another of the accused, saying she was innocent. An investigation found that neither the Sri Ram Sena nor Muthalik were involved in the blasts.<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/> In an interview with [[Rediff.com]], Muthalik said, "Look at the Hubli case where so many terrorists were arrested. These arrests helped in cracking a nationwide nexus of the [[Students Islamic Movement of India]]. It was our boys who gave information about these terrorists and on the basis of our information the police nabbed these anti-national elements."<ref>{{Citation | url = http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/10inter-we-are-training-youth-to-fight-terror.htm | title = We are training youth to fight terror | format = Interview |first = Vicky |last = Nanjappa | work = Rediff.com | date = November 10, 2008}}</ref>

On 24 August 2008, the Sri Ram Sena vandalized an Exhibition of [[M F Hussain]]'s paintings in Delhi.<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena">{{Citation|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090081485 |title=What is Sri Ram Sena? |date=January 26, 2009 |location=Mangalore |publisher=NDTV Convergence Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131013606/http://ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090081485 |archive-date=January 31, 2009 }}</ref> The exhibition had been organized by [[SAHMAT]], an NGO, to protest against the exclusion of Husain's works from the concurrent [[India Art Summit]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Husain-Art-Summit-vandalised/article15288915.ece|title=Husain Art Summit vandalised|date=2008-08-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-05-12|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 27 October 2008, activists of the Sri Ram Sena ransacked the central office of the [[Samajwadi Party]] in [[New Delhi]], in retaliation for defamatory comments alleged to have been made by the Samajwadi leadership against slain Delhi Police Inspector M C Sharma. Taking responsibility for the attack, the Sri Ram Sena's national general secretary Binay Kumar Singh told the Press Trust of India that he and his supporters had entered the premises of the Samajwadi Party office and damaged some vehicles parked inside, as well as furniture and hoardings.<ref name="IE-SPattack">{{Cite news | url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sri-ram-sena-activists-attack-sp-office-in-delhi/378540/ | title = Sri Ram Sene activists attack SP office in Delhi | location = New Delhi | date = 27 October 2008 | newspaper = The Indian Express}}</ref>

The members of the Sena attacked young men and women after dragged them out [[2009 Mangalore pub attack|of a pub in Mangalore]], on 24 January 2009.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Other Country: Dispatches from the Mofussil|page=107|publisher=penguin|author=Mr̥ṇāla Pāṇḍe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Mangalore_pub_attack_17_held_Ram_Sena_unapologetic/rssarticleshow/4033613.cms|title=Mangalore pub attack: 17 held, Ram Sena unapologetic|publisher=Indiatimes.com|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203084206/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mangalore-pub-row-sri-ram-sene-men-get-bail/84145-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2009|title=Mangalore pub row: Sri Ram Sene men get bail|publisher=ibnlive.com|access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206133603/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/02/stories/2009020259730600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2009|title=Mangalore pub attack|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=3 February 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=2 February 2009}}</ref> A group of 40 activists of the Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia — The Lounge" and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were violating traditional Indian values. Two of the women were hospitalized. The video of the incident has become one of the most watched clips on [[YouTube]], though how the TV crew happened to be ready at the 'unannounced' attack is not known.<ref name="thaiindian">{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/young-india-vents-anger-over-mangalore-incident-on-internet_100147756.html|title=Young India Vents Anger Over Mangalore Incident on Internet}}</ref><ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/> Commenting on the incident, founder Pramod Muthalik said "Whoever has done this has done a good job. Girls going to pubs is not acceptable. So, whatever the Sena members did was right. You are highlighting this small incident to malign the BJP government in the state."<ref name="What Is Sri Ram Sena"/>

In January 2009, Muthalik announced a plan to target couples found dating on 14 February, Valentine's Day. He said "Our activists will go around with a priest, a [[turmeric]] stub and a [[mangalsutra]] on 14 February. If we come across couples being together in public and expressing their love, we will take them to the nearest temple and conduct their marriage."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Wersquoll-not-spare-dating-couples-on-Valentinersquos-Day-Muthalik/article16328446.ece | location=Chennai, India | newspaper=The Hindu | title=We'll not spare dating couples on Valentine's Day: Muthalik | date=6 February 2009}}</ref> On 9 February 2008, [[P. Chidambaram]] the Indian [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]], said, "Sri Ram Sena is a threat to the country. The Centre is watching its activities with great concern".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Sri_Ram_Sene_is_a_threat_to_the_country_Chidambaram/articleshow/4099436.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Sri Ram Sene is a threat to the country: Chidambaram | location = Kollam, Kerala | date=9 February 2009}}</ref>

Muthalik's remarks aroused widespread criticism and protests like the [[Pink Chaddi Campaign]]. As a precaution, Muthalik and 140 others of the Sri Ram Sena were held in preventive custody on Valentine’s Eve and released a few days later.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Muthalik-140-others-held-ahead-of-Valentines-Day/articleshow/4125413.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Police crackdown: Muthalik, 140 others held ahead of Valentine's Day | date=14 February 2009}}</ref>

On 12 October 2011 a few Sri Ram Sena activists allegedly assaulted senior lawyer and social activist [[Prashant Bhushan]] in his Supreme Court chamber.<ref name=Bhushan>{{Citation | url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sri-ram-sene-behind-my-assault-bhushan/192537-3.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111015083642/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sri-ram-sene-behind-my-assault-bhushan/192537-3.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 15 October 2011| title = Sri Ram Sena behind my assault: Prashant Bhushan | date = 13 October 2011 | first = Smriti | last = Advani | publisher = CNN | newspaper = IBN Live | location = New Delhi}}</ref> The Sena leadership denied any involvement. Police determined that the attackers were not from Sri Ram Sena.<ref name=Bhushan/>

The organisation's top aides were recorded on camera agreeing to vandalise an art exhibition in return for money in an undercover investigation by Tehelka.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rama Sene chief, aides exposed in ‘rent-a-riot' sting operation|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Rama-Sene-chief-aides-exposed-in-lsquorent-a-riot-sting-operation/article15519553.ece|date=14 May 2010|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

In January 2012, seven people<ref name = Pakflag /> were arrested in [[Bijapur, Karnataka]], for raising Pakistan's national flag on a government building. They were charged with trying to create tension in the town, which has a sizeable Muslim population.<ref name = Pakflag /> According to the police, they were members of Sri Ram Sena,<ref>{{cite news | author = Habib Beary | title=Hindu group 'flew Pakistan flag to create tension' | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16424473|access-date=6 January 2012 | work=BBC News | date=5 January 2012 }}</ref> though the organization denied it.<ref name = Pakflag>{{cite news|title=Pakistani flag hoisting was a Hindutva plot to foment strife, police say | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2790960.ece|access-date=12 January 2012 | newspaper=The Hindu | date=11 January 2012 | author=Pradeepkumar Kadkol | location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
*{{official website|http://www.shriramsena.com}}

[[Category:Hindutva]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in India]]