In an interview to a TV channel from a deserted forest, the leader of the banned outfit Vamsadhara Dalam, Sabyasachi Panda claimed responsibility for the death of VHP Leader Laxmananand .The leader spoke with his back to the camera and face covered with a towel and said "Hindu organizations such as VHP are targeting minorities, particularly Christians, attacking them and burning their homes. They are playing riot politics. Our organization is giving all support including arms and man power to the minority Christian members at some places in Kandhamal district to put up resistance against attack on them by Hindu Fundamentalist".

Therfore, as Laxmananand was a VHP leader, we had ordered his killing. Panda further added that he and his group had left letters at the site after killing but the evidence was not brought out. He believes that the VHP is responsible for all the hardships faced by the minorities.

However opposing this completely VHP national convener stated "Laxmananand Sarawati opposed conversions”. 

The Bajrang Dal co-convener Subhash Chouhan was also agitated at Panda's comments and stated that "We don't believe the Maoists killed Swami Laxmananand, who in his lifetime never said a word against them ".Furthermore, Chouhan emphasized that Swami Laxmananand only, educated the poor about the rich traditions of India and warned them against conversions.

Meanwhile the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has asked in a letter to the Prime Minister to take remedial action including a ban and prosecution of the Bajrang dal. Out of 17 persons arrested so far in this connection all belonged to the Bajrang Dal.

 The NCM said communal harmony should be maintained and that the commission was visiting the areas like Mangalore, Bangalore and Udupi to assess the attacks on the Christians. Pertaining to the investigation of the District Magistrate and the SSP the NCM confirmed their demands as necessary.