Election Commission to examine video clip of Pravin Togadia

GANDHINAGAR: Complying with the orders of the Election Commission, Bhavnagar police have started an inquiry into the alleged hate speech given by VHP chief Pravin Togadia in which he said Muslims should be stopped from buying property in Hindu-majority areas.

Togadia, however, distanced himself from the controversy, where he allegedly exhorted Hindus in Bhavnagar to forcibly vacate a Muslim from his property. He has issued legal notices against newspapers that carried the report.

Meanwhile, a video clip purporting to show Togadia’s comments has gone viral. Togadia had reportedly exhorted Hindu residents in Bhavnagar to pressure the government into enforcing the Disturbed Areas Act to ensure that no Muslim would be able to buy property there. He also allgedly asked his audience to occupy the house bought by a Muslim businessman and put up a Bajrang Dal board on it. The Election Commission has initiated proceedings against Togadia, said Bhavnagar district collector PK Solanki.