Ahmedabad: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary Praveen Togadia on November 14 assured the people that the proposed 'padshahi yatra' will "commence and end without any incident of violence".

"I want to tell the entire nation that there will be no violence at all during our 'yatra'. It is a 'yatra' of saints and the religious freedom of expression should not be curbed," he told reporters.

Togadia, however, announced that the 'yatra' would commence from Godhra in Panchmahals district on November 17, calling it the Somnath of Gujarat, and end at Karnavati (Ahmedabad) on December 6.

THe VHP leader also denied the display of the replica of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express that was torched on February 27, and said the report about it was "spread by media and not by VHP".

He also showed a written permission for the 'yatra' that the VHP had "reportedly" obtained from the district magistrate late on November 13 night.

Replying to a question, Togadia said 2,000 saints from all over the country would join the 'yatra' from various places and at certain places followers might congregate for a glimpse.

PTI