Togadia set to defy ban, record ‘Hindu’ protest

VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia will defy the district collector’s ban and arrive here on Saturday to address a Hindu rights declaration rally, as scheduled. Organiser of the rally, Hindu Aikya Vedi, said Togadia had confirmed his visit, terming the order ‘‘undemocratic and a violation of citizens’ rights. Togadia had been banned from entering the city from April 9 to May 10 on grounds that he could provoke communal sentiments.

Vedi state general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan said if the ban was for reasons related to the Lok Sabha elections, it was the responsibility of the Election Commission, not the Government, to act. The Aikya Vedi will observe April 10 as ‘Hindu Matha Swathantra Dinam’ in protest against the ban which amounted to ‘‘suppression of rights of the Hindu community’’, he said.

Chief Minister A.K. Antony yesterday said there was nothing wrong in barring Togadia from entering Thiruvananthapuram on the basis of Intelligence reports that his visit would create problems. Antony said the collector could not be blamed for the decision.

But the police have decided to take all steps to prevent the entry of Togadia to the city. ‘‘We are bound to implement the order of the collector. Stern action will be taken against any attempt to violate the order,’’ DIG Arun Kumar Sinha said.