The Indian National Congress has pledged to take “decisive action” against organisations that “spread hatred” among communities, including the Bajrang Dal, a youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, which is affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The promise provoked a backlash from the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Congress of wanting to “lock up” Lord Hanuman’s devotees. The Congress also pledged to increase the reservation ceiling from 50% to 75%, extend the old pension scheme to government employees and give free power to all households if elected in Karnataka’s assembly elections on 10 May.
