Governor Ram Naik kicked up a storm by backing Bajrang Dal's private army "Hindu Sena" which is being trained to wield lathis, swords and guns, ostensibly in self-defence against "non-brothers".

The exercise was part of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) annual camp held at 'Karsewakpuram' in Ayodhya recently.

Governor Ram Naik said, "There is nothing wrong in conducting such camps. They are only giving training in self-defence and it should be continued at all costs".

Naik asserted, "There is no harm in self-defence camps, what's important is to understand the intention behind them. All kinds of education teaching self-defence is important and it should be continued at all costs. How can those who can't defend themselves, defend the society? Self defence must be taught in schools and other institutions".

"There is no use of creating such an atmosphere in the nation. The people in BJP will now do these kinds of activities everyday to polarise the situation as the elections are round the corner in UP," Congress leader Meem Afzal said.

Bajrang Dal's UP cadre gets training in using rifles, swords and laathis. The intention of these camps is to "protect Hindus from non-brothers." Governor Naik supported it by saying, "They are held for self-defense - the purpose of these camps is important and we should see that."

Similar such camps would be held till June 5 in Sultanpur, Gorakhpur, Pilibhit, Noida and Fatehpur. Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Uttar Pradesh.