Naveen allowed EU team to Kandhamal, but banned me: Togadia

Referring to the visit of an European Union delegation to communally sensitive Kandhamal district, VHP president Praveen Togadia today termed Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik "anti-Hindu".

"While Naveen Patnaik allowed a delegation of EU to visit Kandhamal, he did not allow me to enter the tribal dominated district. Therefore, I call him anti-Hindu," Togadia told reporters here.

Asked whether denial of permission to him was the reason behind calling Patnaik "anti-Hindu", Togadia said, "Not exactly. I have been working for the welfare of tribals and Hindus. I visited Rourkela and Cuttack and spoke about development of Hindus and tribals. I would have also spoken the same thing in Kandhamal."

The VHP working preseident also elaborated his organisation's action plan for the welfare of Hindus. "We have programmes for health, education, employment and agriculture for Hindus who have been neglected," he said, adding that the VHP has urged doctors, teachers and others to extend helping hands to encourage Hindus.

Replying to a question on the Centre's denial of any assistance for Lord Jagannath's Nabakalebar festival, the VHP leader said, "They should do somehing for the Lord's festival. When you are giving funds for Kumbh Mela and Haj, there should have been provision for Nabakalebar festival."

Togadia refused to comment on RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat's remark on Mother Teresa, saying, "No comment on the RSS chief."