The West Bengal government on Wednesday banned the entry of international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Pravin Togadia into the State stating that his closed door or public meetings would lead to “communal tension and disruption in public tranquillity.”
Commenting on the development, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said, “This is wrong, he should be allowed to enter the State.”
A notification signed by State Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee said orders under Section 144 Cr.PC had been promulgated throughout the State prohibiting entry of Mr. Togadia.
“These orders have been issued by district magistrates and Police Commissioners on the basis of information available to them,” Mr. Banerjee said. According to reports, Mr. Togadia is scheduled to visit the State later this month. Last month, he was banned from entering Udupi district of Karnataka.
In January, a police complaint was lodged against Mr. Togadia and other VHP leaders at Birbhum for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and creating enmity between the communities.
Ranajit Sur, an activist of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights, described the order as “undemocratic.”
