New Delhi: Accusing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia of disrupting communal harmony in different parts of the country through his "trishul diksha", angry Samajwadi Party and Congress members in Lok Sabha on May 5 sought his arrest under Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA).

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Samajwadi Party member Ramjilal Suman said Togadia on May 4 conducted his "trishul diksha" in the capital, ignoring the reported statement of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani that such programme should not be undertaken.

A few youth who were demonstrating that they wanted jobs and not 'trishuls' (tridents) were mercilessly beaten by VHP volunteers, he alleged.

Alleging that the "trishul diksha" programme was whipping up communal passions and it had been undertaken by VHP to gain political mileage in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, where elections are to be held in October this year, Suman said Togadia should be immediately arrested under POTA.

Supporting him, Congress member Pravin Rashtrapal said Advani was directly responsible for maintenance of law and order in Delhi and he should explain as to why Togadia was allowed to go ahead with his programme.

He condemned arrest of Delhi youth Congress chief on May 4 for protesting against the VHP's programme of 'trishul diksha'.

PTI