Gag order on Togadia in Guwahati

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, February 12: Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s leader Praveenbhai Togadia has been barred from holding meetings or making inflammatory speeches in Guwahati.

The prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC was passed by Guwahati Police Commissioner Jyotirmay Chakravarty last night, a day before Togadia was scheduled to address the meeting of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Samiti of Guwahati unit of VHP.

The order stated that Togadia has been making “inflammatory speeches which may hurt the sentiments of the religious minority community and create a deep sense of insecurity among them, which might disturb public peace and order”.

Togadia has been also barred from making speeches to the media. The order will remain in force till the VHP leader concludes his visit.

Interestingly, in an order issued by the DCP (Security and Intelligence) on February 6, Togadia was allowed to address the meeting but barred from participating in a motorcycle rally.

“People like Togadia should not be allowed to come to the State. They come to incite people,” said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Togadia, however, described the ban as undemocratic. “It is our democratic right to visit any place. The Congress government is infringing on our rights. It cannot prevent Bangladeshi citizens from coming to Assam, but it is barring genuine Indian citizens. People will judge now,” Togadia said.

BJP leader Bijoya Chakravarty described the ban as a political conspiracy. “The Congress knew they were going to face defeat in the civic polls. In revenge, they decided to ban Togadia in Guwahati,” the Guwahati MP said.

Togadia, while speaking at a rally in Patharkandi in Karimganj yesterday, advocated for citizenship rights to illegal Hindu migrants from Bangladesh.

“All Muslim migrants should be detected and deported. People and politicians found shielding illegal Muslim migrants should be strictly punished and prosecuted,” he had said yesterday.