Headlines
VHP to approach Calcutta HC over Togadia ban
Kolkata, April 2
The VHP said on Thursday it
will approach the Calcutta High Court against the Mamata Banerjee
government issuing prohibitory orders to ban the entry of VHP leader
Praveen Togadia into West Bengal.
The prohibitory orders were
issued on Wednesday against the Vishva Hindu Parishad's international
working president arguing that his presence could lead to "communal
tension" and "disturb public tranquility".
"Beside the
prohibitory order, the administration has also cancelled the permission
for our April 5 rally at Raiganj in North Dinajpur district which
Togadia was to address. We are in the process of approaching the
Calcutta High Court today (Thursday) against both," VHP general
secretary organisation (East) Sachindra Nath Sinha told IANS here.
"The
prohibitory order is arbitrary and against the law. We are moving to
the court today (Thursday) challenging the legality," added Sinha.
Earlier
in January, a First Information Report was filed against Togadia for
hurting religious sentiments following the alleged conversion of over
100 tribals in Kharmadanga village in Birbhum district.
The
state's ruling Trinamool Congress has alleged that the VHP conducted a
'ghar wapsi' ceremony during which nearly 150 Christians were 'forcibly'
converted. The VHP, however, denied the charges claiming it was only a
religious ceremony.
Known for his controversial speeches, Togadia has called the prohibitory order a "blunder" and "funny".
"Would
Mamata didi arrest Namazis on streets, church goers for Good Friday
mass prayers, or people taking out a procession on Hanuman Jayanti? Why
ban the entry of one man for 2000 people's rally when the Supreme Court
scraps (section) 66A for Internet that reaches crores of people?, he
asked.
"Wonder who really got Mamata didi to issue such a funny ban," said Togadia.