Bengaluru: Police ban defied, Praveen Togadia's recorded speech played at rally

Bengaluru: Defying multi-media gag by police, VHP leader Praveen Togadia's video recorded speech was played at a rally on Sunday in which he called for Ghar Wapsi (homecoming) and establishment of "Constitutional Hindu Nation".

Additional Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru) Alok Kumar said, "We have taken note of the violation; we will get opinion of our legal officers and we will take further action."

At 'Virat Hindu Samajotsava' rally, Togadia said in his recorded speech,"We want security, security for hundred crore Hindus. We want prosperity for Hindus. We want honour for Hindus."

The organisers played the address ignoring the police orders banning displaying or transmitting the speech through audio, visual or other media.

Police had issued fresh orders yesterday imposing the multi-media gag after the Karnataka High Court had upheld its ban prohibiting entry of Togadia into the city for a week from February 5.

Apprehending that the 'Samajotsava' organisers might circumvent the ban by showing Togadia's speech using audio or visual media, Bengaluru Police Commissioner M N Reddi had issued the orders.

Togadia left for Ahmedabad from Hosur in Tamil Nadu via Bengaluru where he was taken to the airport, police said earlier in the day.

Security was beefed up around the venue and in sensitive parts of the city, with policemen, assisted by Rapid Action Force, Quick Response Teams and other security personnel deployed in good strength.

"Let no one teach us about tolerance, from the time when this universe was created we have tolerance, if we were not tolerant, people from across the world couldn't have come and settled here," Togadia said.

"Those who do religious conversions are the enemies of tolerance. Hindus have never done religious conversions. Hindus have been converted, now Hindus will not be converted, we will do Ghar Wapsi."

As Togadia spoke, a huge crowd gathered at the National High School Ground cheered and raised slogans in his praise. They also raised slogans against Siddaramaiah government holding it responsible for banning his entry into the city.