Patna, Aug 15: International general secretary of the VHP, Praveen Togadia, is likely to be put under preventive detention on his arrival here today, highly placed government sources said here today.
However, when contacted, ruling RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav said ''the government is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will do what is appropriate and necessary''.
Soon after the VHP leader's launch of his controversial Trishul Diksha campaign earlier, the RJD president had said that togadia would be arrested the moment he sets foot in Bihar "to vitiate the atmosphere of communal amity".
The VHP yesterday warned the government against banning Togadia's proposed participation in a flag hoisting ceremony at a school here on Independence Day today, saying such "misadventure" would be fraught with dire consequences.
''The VHP will defy the ban and do everything in its power to hold the function. We will launch an agitation if Togadia is prevented by the state government from unfurling the tricolour ...Any attempt by the administration to stop Togadia from participating in the function won't be tolerated'', VHP's Bihar and Jharkhand organisational secretary Ras Bihari told a news conference.



Warning the government against the possible arrest of Togadia on his arrival today morning, Ras Bihari declared that the VHP would not brook such an action by the government which should be prepared for a sustained agitation.



Togadia is scheduled to visit the Udasin Nanakshahi Vidya Mandir at Phulwarisharif here to participate in the Independence Day celebrations.


Bureau Report