Christians seek prohibitory orders before Togadia's visit

Togadia is scheduled to address a Hindu Convention of the VHP at the coronation field of Phulbani town on February 28.

Phulbani:  A Christian group and social activists in Odisha have urged authorities to impose prohibitory orders in Kandhamal district on the eve of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Chief Praveen Togadia’s visit to the state on Feb. 28.

Christian Public Welfare Association and social activists on Tuesday approached the District Magistrate (DM) requesting him to invoke of section 144.

The VHP, on the other hand, has called the move undemocratic.

The lawyers for the group agued before Kandhamal DM that Togadia’s visit and his fiery speeches might upset the fragile peace between communities and requesting the DM to ban his visit by invoking section-144.

The tribal-dominated Kandhamal district witnessed anti-Christian riots in 2008. Some 100 people were killed and thousands had to flee their homes from both communities in the riots that that started following the murder of Hindu saint Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Togadia is scheduled to address a Hindu Convention of the VHP at the coronation field of Phulbani town on February 28.

Local VHP leaders condemned the move to disrupt his visit and argued that Kandhamal is peaceful and doesn’t have a tense situation. Attempting to block a public gathering under such condition is unconstitutional and undemocratic. There would be fire, should such a thing take place, they have warned.

“We are considering all possible actions,” said regional Joint Secretary of VHP Priya Nath Sharma.

“We are keeping an eye on the issue. I will speak as and when it is needed,” said Collector cum District Magistrate of Kandhamal Noonsavath Thirumala Nayak, while acknowledging the importance of the issue.

Source: Odishasuntimes