Firebrand right wing leader Pravin Togadia on Wednesday made some inflammatory statements against the Muslim community in Guwahati despite the Assam government banning him from holding any public events in and around the city.
“The Muslims are immigrants. The immigrant Muslims should be sent to Bangladesh. As far as the settlement of Hindus are concerned, I will take responsibility,” Aantarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) president Togadia said.
The former VHP chief said that if Bangladesh does not accept the illegal migrants, the Indian Army should set up colonies for the illegal migrants in the land of the neighbouring country.
Taking a dig at the Assam BJP, Togadia further said that the State committee of party has no difference with Congress.
“They (Assam BJP) have followed the policy of Congress and have tried to muzzle my voices,” Togadia alleged.
He said that the illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas should be expelled from Northeast and other parts of the country without further delay.
Togadia further pointed out that even though the BJP came to power in Assam promising to protect the land and existence of indigenous people of the state, the government has failed to expel the Bangladeshis from Assam.
Togadia, who visited the Kamakhya temple atop the Nilachal Hills in the city, was seen with a black ribbon tied on his face in protest against the government’s move to ban his scheduled programmes.
Hundreds of his supporters, however, gave a warm welcome to Togadia outside the airport by shouting slogans hailing him and denouncing the BJP-led government in Assam and at the Centre.
Togadia met Guwahati Police Commissioner Hiren Nath to know the reasons for refraining him from making any statements or holding public rallies.
“The move by the government is to silence us. However, we are not going to be silenced and the BJP government will get the answer in the 2019 elections,” said an AHP leader in Assam.
He said the Assam government had stopped close to 100 vehicles in different parts of the state which were used by thousands of AHP supporters to reach Guwahati to meet Togadia.
A prohibitory order, under Section 144 of the CrPC, was issued by Police Commissioner Nath ahead of Togadia’s visit to Guwahati from July 17 to 20. He was to address a meeting at a city auditorium on July 18 and mediapersons the next day.