In remarks that may ruffle some feathers, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that he would not allow growth of 'pub culture' in the state but made it clear that people taking law into their hands will be dealt with firmly.
He also said that he will discuss the issue of banning Sri Ram Sena, the outfit accused in the pub attack case, in the state cabinet.
"We won't allow this pub culture in Karnataka to grow. But on the other hand, those who take law in their hand will be dealt with very firmly," he told TV channels.
His remarks came even as Sena chief and an accused in the pub case Pramod Muthalik reminded the BJP that they formed the government in Karnataka on the Hindutva plank and asked the party not to sacrifice Hindu organisations for the sake of expediency.
Yeddyurappa claimed that Sena has no connection with BJP. "That's an individual organisation," he said.
Replying to a question on the issue of banning Sene, he said, "We will discuss it with the police officers and I will discuss it with the cabinet."
The police, he said, were also exploring the possibility of invoking the stringent Goonda Act against the pub case accused.
"Anyhow, we are not going to allow such incidents to happen again in the state. Nobody should take law into their hands and it is a very unfortunate incident. That is why I have taken immediate action and the situation is under control," he said.
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