Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Jun 30: Despite voices in favour of lifting ban on Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik from entering Goa, the state government on Friday June 30 extended the ban on him by another 60 days.

The state administration has issued the order claiming that presence of Muthalik may create law and order situation in the coastal state.

"The administratin has banned the entry of Pramod Muthalik, leader of Sri Ram Sene and any of his associates or members within the State for a period of 60 days with effect from June 30, 2017 under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973," the order released here today reads.

The state government has said, "The step has been taken to prevent every possibility of disturbance to law and order and danger to public safety due to their aggressive statements or speeches that could hurt the sentiments of certain groups of the public and instigate violence, thus adversely affecting public peace and tranquility."

Muthalik’s entry has been banned repeatedly after every two months by the state administration banking on the report by Goa police which fears law and order situation in the state with his presence.

In 2009, the Ram Sene men had allegedly attacked a pub in Mangalore, where women were beaten up. Muthalik had defended the attack saying that girls going to pub was against Indian culture.

Following the attack, the BJP government of Karnataka banned him from entering Mangaluru. In response, he campaigned against BJP in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, calling it "corrupt and anti-Hindu".

In 2014, Muthalik joined the BJP’s Karnataka state unit, only to be forced out within hours after protests from other members.