Madurai, Oct 28: The 'Trishul distribution programme' to be undertaken by VHP leader Praveen Togadia was banned today but the district administration permitted a meeting to be addressed by the firebrand VHP general secretary on October 30 at a function here, to mark 'Thevar Jayanthi' celebrations. The ban on the programme was being imposed under Section 41(a) of the Tamil Nadu city Police Regulatory Act, police commissioner Vijaykumar told a news agency here.

The main objective of the ban was to protect communal harmony and maintain peace and tranquility in the city. However, the meeting to be addressed by Togadia had been permitted, he said.

The 'joint action council against communalism' had sought Tamil Nadu Governor P S Ramamohan Rao's intervention to prevent distribution of 'Trishuls', fearing that it would pose a threat to communal harmony.

VHP and the Bharatiya forward bloc had claimed that Togadia, who would participate in Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar 'Gurupooja' celebrations, would distribute 'Trishuls' at a function in the city.
Bureau Report