Headlines
FIR against Pravin Togadia in Bengal
Kolkata, Jan 29
An FIR was registered Thursday
against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia and
functionary Jugal Kishore for hurting religious sentiments following the
alleged conversion of over 100 tribals in West Bengal, police said.
The
state's ruling Trinamool Congress had alleged that the VHP conducted a
'ghar wapsi' ceremony at Kharmadanga village in Rampurhat in the
district Wednesday during which nearly 150 Christians were 'forcibly'
converted.
The VHP refuted the charges of conversion but claimed
that a Hindu religious ceremony was conducted that was participated by
over 1,000 people from the village, including Muslims and Christians.
"On
the basis of a complaint by one Dhin Murmu, we have registered an FIR
(first information report) against Pravin Togadia and Jugal Kishore on
charges of hurting religious sentiments," Koteshwar Rao, sub-divisional
police officer of Rampurhat, told IANS.
VHP general secretary
organisation (East) Sachindra Nath Sinha, Wednesday had denied charges
of conversion claiming it was a Hindu religious ceremony and not a 'ghar
wapsi' (home-coming) - a term now being used to describe a conversion
ceremony.
Reacting strongly, Trinamool Rajya Sabha chief whip
Derek O'Brien said the state government was ascertaining details and if
there was "even a hint of coercion or forced conversion, the issue will
be dealt in the strongest manner possible".