Togadia's absence makes it a muted affair

The Virata Hindu Samajotsava organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the account of its 50th year celebrations, at Dasara Exhibitions Grounds on Wednesday here, witnessed a poor turnout.

With the district administration imposing ban on the entry of VHP International Working President Praveen Bhai Togadia into the district from March 9 to 13, close to 4,000 people attended the meet against the anticipated 30,000, according to the organisers.

Police force drawn from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts seemed to outnumber the gathering, as men in khaki were present in different places to ensure that no untoward incidents took place.

Addressing the gathering, VHP, Dakshinanchal, Kshetriya Secretary, Gopal asserted that ‘Ghar Wapsi’ would not stop until religious conversions are not stopped in the country.

Service

He said that in the name of service many Christian missionaries have been indulging in religious conversions.

“The Muslim rulers who held the reins of erstwhile India too did the same. However, disparity and injustice prevails in both Muslim and Christian communities, as a result of which people are looking towards Hindu community for religious freedom,” he said.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Gopal reiterated that the Congress leader feared of losing his vote base -- Ahinda, and had imposed the ban on the entry of international working president of the organisation Praveen Bhai Togadia into the State.

While the minorities stayed away from the previous meets held in the State, dalits and people belonging to backward classes, irrespective of caste and creed attended the meets in large numbers, worrying Siddaramaiah, he said.

Also, Siddaramaiah wanted to divert the people’s attention from the issues that are haunting him in the recent past - dalit CM campaign and Arkavathi illegal denotification issue, he added.

Gopal found support in the gathering that raised slogans against Siddaramaiah.
Gopal accused the government of practicing partiality by granting permission to Popular Front of India (PFI) to hold the rally in Shivamogga, while Togadia was prevented from entering Udupi, Chikkamagalur, Hassan and Mysuru districts.

He termed the government’s ban against AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaissi as perfunctory. No violent incidents have been recorded wherever Hindu Samajotsava was held, Gopal claimed.