Mangaluru, Apr 26: The Bajrang Dal, infamous for its bellicose jingoism, is making its way into the business world in Mangaluru, preying upon the fears of vigilante and hooliganism which they have successfully spread amongst the public. This is not just any business but a business of providing protection and security, which has always been their best excuse for vandalism.
'Shadow Armies: Fringe Organizations and Foot Soldiers of Hindutva', a book by journalist Dhirendra K Jha sheds light on how Mangaluru based Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell built a security business by creating fear in the city.
Sharan, the convener of the Bajrang Dal in Karnataka, who is known for leading several Bajrang Dal attacks in the coastal Karnataka, now owns Eshwari Manpower Solutions Ltd., a firm providing security to most public hubs in the city including shopping malls and pubs.
After having created a sense of fear in the coastal city, this ‘saffron tygoon’ has managed to make a clientele of these terrified property owners. First create the need for security, next provide security. This man, sure seems to know the demand and supply laws of the business world. The peaceful result of this violent business is however very ironic, as the Muslim businessmen of the city too are assured protection from any kinds of threats by these fringe groups in return for being hired. Sounds like a fair deal…or does it?
“As a leader of the Bajrang Dal in this city, it is my duty to secure a livelihood for the karyakartas. But I don’t turn away anyone who comes to me for a job. There is enough demand for security guards in the city. Some of our guards are even Muslims," Sharan says.
The fear among the Muslim business owners who run most of the prominent shopping malls in the city is efficiently used by the man himself to make the best out of his business. At a time when politics was the only link to right wing activism, now business and commercial interests are seeming to be the driving force behind “Hindutva”.
This man has never failed to make the headlines, and now with his smart but shrewd ways of handling the business the state seems to have failed to protect the safety of the public.
"We are getting a lot of business from Muslim shop keepers and mall owners," admits Sharan. "This is primarily because they have faith in me and my company," he adds.
On asking why turn to Bajrang Dal for security, a Muslim owner of a shop in the heart of the city said, "Given the kind of activities they are involved in, this is the best way to do your business peacefully. After all, one attack is enough to bring down your business."
Sharan, however, denies that there is any racket of money making in the name of providing protection to the Muslim businessmen. He claimed that the content in the book has been doctored by Jha. Although the key factors behind this successful business remain a secret. But it is what it is.
This not only shows how miserable the safety conditions in the city are, but also how awfully the state has failed to secure the interests of the people. Insecurities created by these hooligans are haunting the daily lives of citizens in Mangaluru. The fear factor has ceased the regular way of lifestyle in the city, the minority is forced to take help from the oppressor, the criminal culture has become a part of the lifestyle, a smart city, is on a backward march towards development.
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