Kozhikode: Claiming that the Marad issue was "serious problem concerning the Hindus", Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international secretary Pravin Togadia on July 8 said VHP would not permit the Kerala government to initiate the process of rehabilitation there and oppose any such move vehemently.

Alleging that several of the accused were activists of the Muslim League, a major ally of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), Togadia told reporters that only a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe would be able to establish the real facts concerning the violent incident and the VHP would not accept anything short of it.

Calling upon the members of the majority community to unite together to fight fundamentalist forces in the area, Togadia said the VHP would extend moral and financial support to the affected.

Accusing the Antony government of trying to appease those allegedly abetting the criminals by pushing through the process of rehabilitation, Togadia said, "Let the affected families of majority community be rehabilitated first."

Later, addressing a gathering in front of the office of the Arya Samajam representing the Hindu community, he said the state government should take immediate steps to demolish a place of worship built "illegally on the seashore violating Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms".

PTI