Praveen Togadia banned from entering Udupi for 'Hindu Samajotsava' in Karnataka

Udupi (Karnataka): VHP International Working President Praveen Togadia has been banned for a week from entering Udupi district of Karnataka for the 'Hindu Samjotsava' rally to be held here on March 9.

The Udupi district administration and the police have imposed the ban to prevent any provocative speech by the VHP leader, which might disrupt communal harmony and. create law and order problems, Deputy Commissioner, Udapi district Vishal R said.

Condemning the ban, VHP district president Suprasad Shetty said it is aimed at hurting Hindu sentiments.

"The government's move is aimed at hurting the sentiments of the Hindus," he said. Shetty said the state government's "anti-Hindu" policies had been exposed.

"We will not allow to continue it any longer," he said, adding, that the organisation would move court against the ban order.

In the event of Togadia's absence, the VHP would decide who should be the main speaker at the meeting, Shetty said.

Togadia had spoken at Udupi in the 'Hindu Samajotsava' in 2003 and it did not create any problem, he said.

A large number of followers of VHP, Bajrang Dal and other people of Udupi District, Dakshina Kannada District, Uttar Kannada, Shimoga and other neighboring areas were expected to participate in this programme.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Annamalai in his letter dated March 1 has recommended prohibition of Togadia's entry into Udupi district.

The deputy commissioner of Udupi district after analysing the facts passed the ban order yesterday, officials said.

Togadia had been directed not to attend any public meeting and functions for a period of seven days from March 7 to March 13, the Deputy Commissioner said.