Guwahati Police bars Pravin Togadia from public events in city

Former Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia from Ahmedabad has landed in Guwahati, on Wednesday, to attend a series of programmes till July 19, which is set to be organised by his newly-formed group – Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP).

The Guwahati Police on Tuesday has barred Togadia from attending any public function in the state capital for the next two months, fearing that his "inflammatory speeches" could disrupt peace.

Guwahati Police Commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath has issued the prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC.

The Police Commissioner directed Togadia, who is the president of AHP, to abstain from attending events organised by it and making any speech through any media without proper permission.

"The order shall remain in force in the territorial area of Guwahati Police Commissionerate for two months with effect from July 17, 2018," said Nath.

Besides, the police has cancelled all events planned by the AHP across Guwahati.

Stating that the Hindutva leader has been making "sensitive and inflammatory speeches", Nath said, "… Such inflammatory speeches will hurt the sentiment of the religious minority community, and create a deep sense of insecurity among them, which is very likely to disturb law and order."

If Togadia is allowed to address these events at ITA Machkhowa auditorium or a scheduled press conference on July 19 at Guwahati Press Club, public peace and order in Guwahati and other areas of the Police Commissionerate are likely to be disturbed "in a serious manner", said Nath.

Any possible provocative statement made by the leader may also affect the prevailing situation during the proposed final draft publication of the National Register of Citizens, he added.

However, Nath said Togadia can appear before him for filing a written objection for cancellation or modification, if he is aggrieved by the order.