Togadia banned from addressing rally in Assam

In an unprecedented move, Assam Police on Tuesday denied president of newly formed Antarastriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Pravin Togadia, to address a rally in Assam’s Guwahati, fearing that his speech might disturb the peace in Assam.

Police Commissioner of Guwahati, Hiren Nath, on tuesday said that section 144 Cr. PC has been imposed in and around the city and added that Togadia has been asked to abstain from attending any meeting or addressing any rally in Guwahati as this might disturb the existing peace in the city.

“…Pravinbhai Togadia, president Aanta rashtriya Hindu Parishad is very likely to make inflammatory speeches if allowed to address the event to be held on 17, 18 and 19 July, 2018 at ITA Machkhowa or at other places of Guwahati organised by Aanta Rashtriya Hindu Parishad, Assam Pradesh or allowed to address a Press conference on 19 July, 2018 at Guwahati Press Club thereby disturbing the public peace and order in Guwahati and other areas of the Commissionerate in a serious manner,” the order issued by Nath said.

It may be mentioned here that Togadia was scheduled to arrive in Assam capital town on Tuesday to address a rally in city on Friday. The Hindu leader was also expected to address a Press conference at Guwahati Press Club on July 19.

“I hereby direct Dr. Pravinbhai Togadia to abstain from attending any event organised by Aanta Rashtriya Hindu Parishad, Assam Pradesh and making any speech therein, or making any inflammatory speech at any other places or through any media in any part of Guwahati without appropriate permission from the Commissioner of Police,” the order issued on Tuesday said adding that the order will remain in force in the territorial areas of Guwahati Police Commissionerate for two months starting Tuesday.

It may be mentioned here that most of the members of the Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal had already resigned in Assam and joined the Aantarashtriya Hindu Parishad after Togadia quit the organisation about two months back.