India poll: Communal leader spits venom against Muslims

DELHI: Pravin Togadia, controversial leader of India’s pro Hindutva group Vishwa Hindu Parishad, has triggered a new controversy by delivering an anti-Muslim speech in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Protesting outside the house of a Muslim businessman, Togadia gave the occupant 48 hours to vacate his house, failing which he asked his followers to take forcible possession of his property and fight a legal battle later that will go on for years.
To prevent Muslims from buying properties he wanted the government to bring in Disturbed Areas Act to Bhavnagar, which would prevent inter-community sale of immovable property.
The VHP leader also threatened Muslims with violence and asked his followers to “go with stones, tires and tomatoes” and that there was nothing to fear.
The Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh backed the under fire leader by denying that Togadia has made those hate comments.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party lashed out at Togadia.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi said: “I think Praveen Togadia should be treated. He should be hospitalized. In this country, if Hindus stay in a Hindu area and Muslims in a Muslim area, and they are not allowed to buy property in each others’ areas, it is against the Constitution.”
AAP called it “an extremely shocking and a shameful act”.
The Election Commission has sought the recording of the speech.