The Bajrang Dal will hold self-defence camps in Rajasthan after such training sessions were held in Uttar Pradesh last week, Hindustan Times reported. The move comes after Bajrang Deal leader Mahesh Mishra was arrested for the programmes held in Ayodhya last week, where the group’s cadre took on men dressed in skull caps and holding weapons to represent terrorists. The report added that the right-wing group had not got permission to hold such camps in Uttar Pradesh. Bajrang Dal members were trained in counter-terrorism tactics at these camps.

The camps will be reportedly be held in Rajasthan, in Bhinmal from May 31 and in Tonk from June 9, where 300 cadre will attend each week-long session. Additional Superintendent of Police in Jalore, Raghunath Garg told Hindustan Times that the administration was not aware of the camps and that action will be taken if they are held, adding that such programmes were illegal.

“If we want to train people to defend themselves in case of a terror attack or make Hindu girls aware about being exploited by Muslim men or prevent cows from being slaughtered, how is that communal?” asked Bajrang Dal Jaipur chief Ashok Singh Rajawat.