New Delhi: Labelling VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Parvin Togadia as 'Hitler of hindutva', the former Army Chief Shankar Roy Choudhary on February 25 demanded that he and some others be arrested under POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) before they became a menace for the country like Bhindranwale.

Declaring that the country could face another jolt like in Punjab in early 1980s when politicians propped up separatist leaders for narrow political ends who later became uncontrollable, Choudhary in Rajya Sabha warned that similar situation could arise if Togadia and others were allowed free rein as was happening under the present dispensation.

The naming of the VHP leader evoked strong protests from BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) benches with members saying reference to his name should be expunged as he was not present in the House to defend himself. However, Rama Shankar Kaushik in the Chair ruled that Togadia's name could be taken as he was an office bearer of a party.

Choudhary said utterances and actions of Togadia was a fit case to invoke POTA.

Speaking on the motion of thanks on the President's address, the former Army Chief took exception to distribution of Trishuls in various states by VHP saying such acts would inflame communalism in the country.

On illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India, he charged that it had happened as the government had left the Indo-Bangladesh border sparsely manned after shifting Border Security Force (BSF) units to the North.

PTI