Jaipur: Describing it as a right under 'hindutva', Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Ashok Singhal on April 19 said the "trishul diksha" programme would be intensified in Rajasthan.

"Even if Parishad leader Praveen Togadia is in judicial custody, 'trishul diksha' would continue everywhere… 'Diksha' is not a politically motivated plan of the VHP, but is a right under 'hindutva'," Singhal told a press conference.

The trident distribution to Bajrang Dal activists would continue as per schedule in Bali, Bheenmal and Nokha in Rajasthan, besides being intensified at other places in the state, he said.

Threatening to organise countrywide protests to oppose Rajasthan government's move to ban tridents and also over arrest of Togadia, he said, "Let the public decide what is wrong or right with Togadia's arrest."

The VHP leader attacked the Gehlot government and said it was receiving "dictation" from Congress president Sonia Gandhi with "political objectives".

Singhal said if case of "rajdroh" was not withdrawn against Togadia, the party would bring "bavandar" (whirl) of agitation across the country.

The VHP leader said he feared Togadia might be killed in a "fake encounter" and the Parishad had moved an application in the Ajmer court on April 18 to provide security and medical facility to Togadia.

PTI