Conversion row: Police complaints filed against Pravin Togadia, Jugal Kishore

KOLKATA: Police complaints were today filed against VHP international president Pravin Togadia and its national secretary Jugal Kishore for making hate speeches at two different programmes in Rampurhat and Kharmadanga areas of Birbhum district, a police official said.

However, the official pointed out that no police complaint has been received about the alleged " conversion" of tribal Christians at a programme organised by the VHP at Kharmadanga yesterday.

SDPO Rampurhat Jobi Thomas told PTI, "We have received two complaints against Pravin Togadia and Jugal Kishore for their alleged hate speeches at Rampurhat and at Kharmadanga village in Birbhum. We have lodged two cases. We have started an investigation."

Bhim Murmu, a resident of Masra village in Birbhum district, who is also a TMC supporter, lodged the complaint against the VHP leaders at Rampurhat police station, the police said.

Murmu further alleged that the provocative speeches of Togadia and Kishore would disturb communal harmony in the district.

At least 150 tribal Christians yesterday "pledged to follow Hinduism" at a programme organised by VHP at Kharmadanga village in the Rampurhat area of Birbhum district.

Asked if the police has received any complaint about the alleged conversion, Jobi Thomas said, "No, we haven't received any such compliant till now."

State VHP leader Sachindranath Singha yesterday said that a programme was organised at Kharmadanga village near Rampurhat which was attended by about 1,000 people, including Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

"During the programme, a 'yajna' - a ritual of fire - was held and about 150 Christians participated in it and took a pledge to follow Hindu path of life. We didn't force anyone to change their religion. This is not conversion as projected by the media as no legal procedure was followed which is needed for conversion," Singha said.