Bhopal: The police thwarted the plans of saffron groups to recite Bharat Mata aarti inside a missionary college on Tuesday and arrested Vishwa Sanatan Sangh chief Updesh Rana and other right wing activists before they could reach Vidisha, around 60km from Bhopal.
Right-wing groups had earlier too tried to storm St Mary’s College and sing the hymn but police had foiled the efforts. They had then sung the hymn at the college gates, but vowed they would return on January 16 and recite it inside the college premises.
The administration fortified the town since morning and deployed heavy police force and SAF battalion to stop them. Rana was arrested at Sanchi along with half a dozen other activists before they could reach the college.
Rana had risen to prominence after being arrested by UP STF in Agra last year, along with his associate Amit Jani, on charges of morphing Taj Mahal’s picture and placing saffron flags atop the monument’s dome and minarets.
Apart from Rana, several volunteers of right wing organizations in Vidisha were also put under house arrest to keep things in check, said sources.
Sensing trouble, the college administration wrapped up the day early. They held an exam in the morning but did not hold any classes afterwards. College director, Father Saju Devassy, did not respond to queries.
The Catholic Diocesan Schools Associations had moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court, saying that there had been concerted attempts to organise religious functions and activities in minority colleges and schools.
The association had sought directions from the HC that no individual or groups be permitted to hold aarti, maha aarti or Bharat Mata aarti at minority and unaided institutions. The state government had assured the HC of offering security to these institutions.
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