5 Shocking Facts About the Bajrang Dal You Won't See in the Headlines

When you hear the name "Bajrang Dal," the image that often comes to mind is that of self-proclaimed "moral police" protesting Valentine's Day or vocal proponents of Hindu nationalism. They are a familiar, if controversial, presence in Indian news cycles.

But this headline-grabbing persona of a mere cultural police force masks a documented history of militant violence, international condemnation, and criminal activity that rarely makes the front page. The organization's public record reveals a far more complex and disturbing reality. This article explores five of the most shocking facts about the Bajrang Dal, based on documented events and official classifications.

1. They Have Been Officially Labeled a "Militant" and "Extremist" Group

Beyond media descriptions or critics' labels, the Bajrang Dal has been officially classified as a "militant" and "extremist" organization by international bodies. This isn't just rhetoric; it's a formal designation found in official government and human rights reports.

Specifically, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) classified the Bajrang Dal as a "religious militant organisation" in its World Factbook in June 2018. Before that, both the US State Department's 2000 report on international religious freedom and the Human Rights Watch 2000 World Report labeled the organization a "Hindu extremist group."

This perception isn't confined to official reports. Prominent academic Paul Brass, a leading expert on Indian politics, made a chilling historical comparison, describing the Bajrang Dal as:

an Indian equivalent of Nazi Germany's Sturmabteilung, the Nazi party's original paramilitary wing known for its political intimidation and violence.

2. A Former Prime Minister From an Allied Party Called Them an "Embarrassment"

The most potent criticism of the Bajrang Dal has often come not from its enemies, but from its presumed allies. In a surprising turn, one of the most pointed rebukes came from the highest level of the political establishment with which the group is closely associated.

Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a senior and widely respected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was openly critical of the organization's actions during his tenure. His disapproval highlights the internal political tensions created by the group's activities.

Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has called Bajrang Dal an embarrassment to the BJP and urged Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to "rein them in".

This public condemnation from a top-ranking allied leader is deeply significant. It suggests that the group's actions were perceived as so extreme that they became a liability even to their ideological counterparts, forcing a rare and public call for restraint.

3. Their History Includes Bomb-Making, Riots, and Supporting Convicted Rapists

While often in the news for moral policing, the organization's documented activities extend to far more severe and violent incidents. A look at their history reveals a pattern of involvement in criminal acts and support for those convicted of heinous crimes.

Bomb-Making: In April 2006, two Bajrang Dal activists were killed in Nanded, Maharashtra, while making a bomb. Investigators suspected the same group of perpetrating the 2003 Parbhani mosque blasts, revealing a pattern of alleged domestic terrorism.

Communal Violence: Human Rights Watch reported the group's involvement in the 1998 anti-Christian attacks and the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat. The National Commission for Minorities also blamed them for religious violence in Karnataka and Odisha in 2008.

Cow Vigilantism: In February 2023, members were accused of abducting two Muslim men in Rajasthan and burning them to death on suspicion of cow smuggling.

Celebrating Violent Criminals: Following the August 2022 release of eleven men convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal allegedly greeted the released convicts with garlands.

Intimidating Victims' Families: In the 2020 Hathras rape and murder case, activists went beyond simply supporting the higher-caste accused. In an act of direct intimidation, they held a protest rally and were accused of issuing threats to the victim's family, warning them to drop the case.

4. Facebook Tagged Them as a "Potentially Dangerous Organisation" But Avoided a Ban

In the modern era, the Bajrang Dal's activities have created major challenges for global tech platforms. Internally, Facebook's own security team identified the organization as a significant threat.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Facebook's security staff tagged the Bajrang Dal as a "potentially dangerous organisation that supports violence against minorities across India." Despite this internal classification, the company chose not to ban the group. The report revealed that Facebook officials feared that "cracking down on Bajrang Dal might endanger both the company's business prospects and its staff in India" due to the group's ties with the ruling BJP.

This incident highlights the difficult position major technology companies face when their safety policies conflict with political and business realities in major markets.

5. One of Their Own Leaders Was Arrested for Cow Slaughter to Frame a Muslim Man

Perhaps the most shocking fact is an incident that strikes at the very core of the Bajrang Dal's public mission. The organization has built its identity around "cow protection," often justifying its vigilantism as a necessary defense of the sacred animal. However, a case from February 2024 revealed a stunning contradiction.

Police in Uttar Pradesh arrested four individuals, including Monu Bishnoi, the Moradabad district president of the Bajrang Dal. They were arrested on charges related to cow slaughter and for attempting to implicate a Muslim man in a fabricated case.

This incident lends powerful credence to accusations that the "cow protection" movement is not about animal welfare, but a pretext for fabricating cases and targeting minorities. The alleged crime by one of its own leaders serves as a prime exhibit, undermining the central premise of their vigilantism.

Conclusion

The common image of the Bajrang Dal as mere cultural watchdogs is a stark oversimplification. The organization is a far more controversial entity with a documented history of militant activity that has drawn formal condemnation from international bodies, human rights organizations, and even its own political allies.

From being officially labeled a militant group by the CIA to having its own leaders arrested for the very crimes they claim to fight, the public record reveals a pattern of behavior that extends far beyond the headlines. When a group acts as a parallel police force, where does society 

draw the line between activism and unlawful vigilantism?