Togadia barred from entering Udupi district

District Administration and District Police Department have finally prohibited entry of VHP International Working President Praveen Togadia into the district for seven days from 07-03-2015 to 13-03-2015.

Briefing reporters, Superintendent of Police Annamalai said Udupi District Deputy Commissioner after analysing facts and circumstances passed the order on March 6, 2015 prohibiting entry of Dr Praveen Bhai Togadia into Udupi District limit‘s and participate in any public meeting and functions for a period of seven days from March 7 to March 13, 2015. 

He said the decision was taken following his involvement in communal incitement cases and hate speeches. He has been booked for 19 cases across five different States.

The SP said maintenance of law and order was the main duty of police and district administration. Whenever public safety, peace and tranquility is in danger it is the duty of police and  district administration to maintain law and order. 

He had written a letter dated March 1 to DC and recommended prohibiting entry of Dr Praveen Bhai Togadia into Udupi District. Udupi City is having mixed demography of various communities like Hindu, Muslim, Christian and also Jains in sizeable numbers.

Communal incidents 

This coastal town is known for its history of communal incidents and also in recent past, incidents having communal overtones have been reported in places like Kundapura, Gangolly and Kaup of Udupi District. 

He said the Deputy Commissioner also contacted the Tahsildar and based on both Superintendents of Police and Tahsildar’s recommendations, had orderd prohibition. The DC had served notice via speed post to VHP activists on March 3, however, there was no response to letter.

The SP said, as Togadia is resident of Gujarat, his address was provided by local organisers. Hence, a notice was served to the organisers. The organisers have given written response. He has been booked against many number of cases. 

He said Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Swarna Jayanthi Utsava Samiti, Udupi  is organising “Virat Hindu Samajothsav” on March 9 at M G M Ground, Kunjibettu Udupi.  

The organisers have informed that a gathering of one lakh people is expected on that day. A large number of followers of VHP, Bajaranga Dal and other people of Udupi District, DK District, Uttar Kannada, Shimoga  and other neighboring areas are expected to actively participate in this programme.