Ban on airing of Togadia's speech

Acting on intelligence inputs that Vishwa Hindu Parishath leader Praveen Togadia, banned from entering the City, may try to address Bengalurians through video conferencing, Police Commissioner M N Reddi issued fresh prohibitory orders on Saturday blocking any such move.

The fresh orders prohibit the organisers from airing Togadia’s speech through any media, audio and visual included.

Reddi said following intelligence inputs that organisers of the Virat Hindu Samajotsava on February 8 were trying to procure outdoor broadcast vans and may attempt to transmit Togadia's speech through audio, visual or any other media, fresh orders were issued.

On January 31, the commissioner issued prohibitory orders banning Togadia from entering the jurisdiction of Bengaluru police commissionerate for seven days from February 5. Event organisers Keshav Hegde and others had moved the High Court seeking interim stay on the prohibitory orders.

The High Court on Friday refused the stay and upheld the orders of the city police commissioner barring entry to Togadia.

“In his report dated February 7, the DCP Intelligence said organisers of this programme are planning to circumvent the prohibitory orders by broadcasting speech of Togadia through audio/visual media at the venue. He has also stated that if this is allowed to happen, it will frustrate the very object of issuing prohibitory orders against Togadia and endanger the peace and tranquility in Bengaluru city,'' the commissioner said.

“It is felt necessary to urgently prohibit the organisers of the said samajotsava from displaying or transmitting the speech of Togadia in the interest of maintenance of law and order, which is the primary responsibility of the police,'' the order said.