The move comes after a controversial weapons training drill conducted near the dispute site in Ayodhya recently. The Bajrang Dal, however, found support in the form of UP Governor Ram Naik, who endorsed the outfit’s right to hold self-defence programmes for the youth. In the mock-drill, Bajrang Dal cadre are seen being imparted training in the use of lathis, swords and rifles, even as they jump through fire-rings. He condemned the FIR against the Bajrang Dal and said it was part of the Samajwadi Party government’s ploy to “polarise Muslim votes” ahead of the 2017 elections. They need to learn to aim right,” Mr. Sharma said, adding that the weapons used in the drill were air rifles.

Source: The Hindu May 25, 2016 08:00 UTC