File photo of VHP's Pravin Togadia
The row over the ban on controversial saffron leader Pravin Togadia continued in the Karnataka assembly today, but Chief Minister Siddaramaiah firmly backed the police decision not to let him into the city.
Mr Togadia, a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is linked to the BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was to address a meeting in Bengaluru. But fearing he would make a provocative speech and unrest will follow, the police put a ban on his coming to the city.
The Karnataka High Court, which heard a plea by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today, is expect to reach a decision tomorrow.
The opposition BJP, which had called the ban "undemocratic" and protested in the assembly on Wednesday, staged a walkout today.
Senior BJP leader Jagdish Shettar, who is also the leader of the opposition, said he condemned the ban and the people would react if Mr Togadia was not allowed to come to Bengaluru.
But the ruling Congress and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stood by the police. "Wherever Togadia goes there has been violence. He makes communal speeches everywhere he goes," Mr Siddaramaiah said. "Because of this, the police have taken this decision. It is correct. We will not let him into Bangalore."
Police Commissioner MN Reddi had issued prohibitory orders and ordered Mr Togadia to stay out of the city between February 5 and 11.
The police describe the IT city as sensitive. The state, too, has seen episodes of communal tension in the past, particularly in districts like coastal Mangaluru, Vijaypur and Belagavi.