Guwahati, June 10: The Assam government may consider banning entry of VHP general secretary Dr Praveen Togadia into the state in the interest of peace and security, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said today. "If necessary, we will consider banning his next visit if it is found that it disturbs peace and communal harmony prevailing in the state,” Gogoi told a press conference here.

Voicing serious concern at the "highly communal" remarks made by the VHP leader at a rally here on Sunday, the Chief Minister alleged that Togadia was promoting hatred and it was surprising how several union ministers, including Bijoya Chakravarty, attended that rally.

"The VHP leader even went to the extent of saying that secularism should be thrown in River Brahmaputra, which was highly provocative and anti-constitutional,” he said.
This is not only an insult to the constitution but also to the legacy of great Assamese saint Srimanta Sankaradeva and the people of the state should give Togadia a fitting reply, the Chief Minister said.

Bureau Report