Jaipur: Apparently alarmed at the distribution of trishuls by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the state, Rajasthan government on April 8 put a ban on acquisition, possession and carrying of tridents, except at religious places, with immediate effect.

When contacted, a VHP spokesman said that the outfit would go ahead with its "trishul diksha" programme in the state and would chalk out a strategy to deal with the ban.

The government order came shortly after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said at Bhilwara, "What VHP is distributing among its workers and Bajrang Dal activists is not trishul of Lord Shiva. It is a weapon and by using it Hindu fundamentalist forces are trying to create communal disharmony in the state."

Police said it will be a non-bailable offence and penalty would vary from one to three years of jail with a fine under the section 25 of the Arms Act.

PTI