Bangalore: Karnataka High Court on July 25 stayed a ban on the entry of VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) firebrand leader Pravin Togadia into Bijapur district, even as the ban issue rocked the Assembly with angry BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) members stalling the proceedings and government declaring that he would not be allowed.

In his interim order on a petition filed by the organisers, Justice Mohana Shantanagoudar permitted Togadia to enter Bijapur district and address a VHP meeting but on the condition that he should not make any provocative speeches that "hurt" the feelings of other communities.

Bijapur district authorities had on July 24 banned the entry of Togadia for seven days from July 26, ahead of "Viraat Hindu Samavesh" which he is slated to address at Bijapur on July 27.

Before the court order, the ban on Togadia's entry rocked the Assembly where the government not only strongly justified its action but also talked tough, asserting that it would not allow the VHP international general secretary to enter any part of the state.

As infuriated BJP members blocked the proceedings and trooped into the well, forcing adjournment of the House twice, Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge dubbed VHP as an organisation of "divisive forces" and said Togadia was known for making provocative speeches, which had prompted government to slap the ban.

Kharge accused the VHP of trying to create a "fear psychosis" through its trident distribution programme, but BJP members charged the government with trying to appease the minorities, noting that earlier meetings of Togadia had passed off peacefully.

PTI