Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Updated
Udupi, Mar 7: The district administration and the police department have banned Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Pravin Togadia from entering Udupi for a period of one week.
The ban order comes two days prior to the Virat Hindu Samajotsava to be held at MGM grounds on March 9, in which Togadia was supposed to deliver the main address.
The district administration banned Togadia's entry fearing that he may deliver a provocative speech which might lead to law and order problem.
Addressing a press meet later in the day, SP Annamalai said that on March 1, he and the tahsildar had recommended to the DC that a ban order should be issued on Pravin Togadia's entry as it may spur law and order problem in Udupi. The DC was also given facts and figures regarding the 19 cases against Togadia. The DC had then issued a notice to VHP asking it to clarify why Togadia should be allowed in the district and what steps it would take if provocative speech was made by its chief. "As VHP failed to respond even after being given a deadline of three days, the district administration decided to go ahead with the ban," the SP said.
Condemning the ban earlier in the day, VHP district president Suprasad Shetty addressed a press meet and said, "The state government has issued ban orders at the last minute. We condemn this move by the state government and the district adminisration.
"The move to ban Pravinbhai Togadia has hurt the sentiments of the people and insulted their wisdom. We are not holding this programme for any vote bank. The entire Hindu community condemns this ban," he said.
He further said, "The ban reflects the anti-Hindu policies of the state government. We will not allow it continue any longer - let this be a warning to the government."
He also said that VHP will move the court against the ban and will wait till Monday March 9. "We are hopeful that the court will lift the ban," he said.
When asked who would replace Togadia as the main speaker at the Samajotsava, he said it will be announced by evening.
"In 2003 when Pravinbhai Togadia had come to Udupi to attend Hindu Samajotsava, his speech did not create any problem and no complaint was filed," he said.
"He will be speaking at four places in different parts of the state, but there also the government is trying to stop him. People will give this government a fitting reply," he added.
He also said that the Samajotsava progamme will end by 5.30 pm on March 9, as per the instructions of the district administration.
Mattu Laxminarayana Rao, Sunil K R, Suprabha Acharyaa and Vasudeva Bhat were present at the press meet.
The police department has issued a press statement on the ban order, which states:
"The Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) Swarna Jayanthi Utsava Samiti, Udupi is organizing “Virat Hindu Samajothsav” on March 9 at MGM Ground, Kunjibettu Udupi. The organizers have informed us that a gathering of fifty thousand people is expected on that day. As per their request letter, this event is to be addressed by Sri Praveen Togadia, International Working President, VHP. A large number of followers of VHP, Bajaranga Dal and other people of Udupi District, DK District, Uttar Kannada, Shimoga and other neighboring areas are expected to actively participate in this programme.
"Udupi city is having mixed demography of various communities like Hindu, Muslim, Christian and also Jains in sizeable numbers. This coastal area is known for its histroy of communal incidents and also in the recent past, incidents having communal overtones have been reported in places like Kundapura, Gangolly and Kaup of Udupi district. The recent communal issues in Gangolly in the month of Dec 2014 and Jan 2015, wherein some shops belonging to both the communities were targets of arson are still fresh in the memory of the local public.
"The maintenance of law and order is the main duty of police and district administration and it is well established in the law that whenever public safety, peace and tranquility is in danger it is the boundened duty of the police and district administration to maintain law and order.
"In view of the above, superintendent of police Udupi district in his letter dated March 1, 2015 has recommended for prohibiting the entry of Dr Pravinbhai Togadia into Udupi district. The deputy commissioner of Udupi district after analyzing the facts and circumstances has passed the order on March 6 prohibiting the entry of Dr Pravinbhai Togadia into Udupi district limits and to participate in any public meeting and functions for a period of 7 days from March 7 to March 13, 2015."
Earlier report
Two more days for Samajotsava - Togadia's visit shrouded in suspense
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 7: There is uncertainty about the visit of Pravinbhai Togadia, president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, to Hindu Samajotsava being held on Monday, although only two more days are left for the event. Many feel that the government may affect the ban on his entry as late as possible, to stop organizers from getting time to approach judiciary and get some relief. Till Friday March 6 night, police officials said they are yet to receive any instructions in this regard.
It is said that intelligence reports have expressed the apprehension that the address of Togadia, who is known to deliver strongly worded speeches, might vitiate the social atmosphere. At the same time, the police have heaved a sigh of relief, after a bike rally organized between the town and Manipal in the backdrop of Samajotsava on Friday went off peacefully.
The district administration, it is gathered, has placed several conditions while permitting holding of Samajotsava on Monday. The departments concerned are eagerly awaiting signals emanating from the state government regarding Togadia's participation in the programme.