After Rajasthan, the VHP is now set to hold its controversial ‘‘trishul diksha’’ programmes in Uttar Pradesh from tomorrow. VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia is arriving in the state tomorrow on a four-day visit during which he will hold the ‘‘trishul diksha’’ programmes in seven districts of the state, including Hardoi, Lucknow, Bahraich, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Padrauna and Allahabad. The programmes will precede the ‘‘Satyagraha’’ to be held in New Delhi from March 27 to April 4. FIR plea filed in HC New Delhi: A petition was on Friday filed in the Delhi High Court seeking registration of fir against vhp leader Pravin Togadia for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches targeting Muslims at the Dharam Sansad rally held in the Capital last month. A bench comprising Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice S.K. Agarwal, posted hearing for March 25. (PTI) The VHP plans to initiate at least 15,000 youths from the state into the Hindutva campaign by making them ‘‘trishul dharis. ‘These trishul dharis will be the ones who will take active part in the construction of the temple as and when it begins. Their commitment to Hindutva is greater than their commitment to any individual or organisation,’’ said a VHP functionary. However, District Magistrate of Lucknow Navneet Sehgal said that the administration was still undecided about giving a go-ahead to the programmes. It is also learnt that intelligence agencies have warned the state government about a communal flare-up if Togadia is allowed to hold his ‘‘trishul distribution programmes. It may be recalled that the VHP leader was recently arrested and later arrested in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh for allegedly making provocative speeches. A State Home Department official said efforts would be made to prevent Togadia from holding his programme in Gorakhpur in view of the fact that the town witnessed communal violence during Holi celebrations on Wednesday. Togadia would distribute the trishul dikshas to 5,000 VHP workers in Lucknow and Hardoi tomorrow while on Sunday he would hold the programmes in Bahraich and Gonda, Bajrang Dal state convener Ved Prakash Sachchan said. On March 24, the VHP leader will be in Gorakhpur and Padrauna while he will be in Allahabad the next day. VHP organising secretary Ambrish said that the programmes were purely religious and had no political or communal intent. ‘‘How can the government stop a religious programme? And if it does, the government will slowly start banning kirtans and namaaz too. Can we allow this to happen? Out of courtesy, we had informed the District Magistrate about the programmes but there is nothing like seeking permission. The programmes will be held as per schedule,’’ Ambrish added.
