Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna indicated today (Dec 5, 2003) that the entry of fire- brand Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia, who is scheduled to address a large convention in Bangalore on Sunday (Dec 7, 2003), would not be banned.

Asked if the State Government would ban or restrict the entry of Togadia, Krishna told reporters here, "Everything will be done as per law. Government does not have any special programme, and we are certainly not celebrating the occasion."

"This is a free country, and we are hoping that everybody will restrain himself," he said, adding any effort to fan communal feelings by anybody would be resisted not merely by the State Government but by the people of the State.

Krishna said people of Karnataka live in amity, have respect for each other's religions and are secular. "I hope that everyone who comes into Karnataka bears this factor in mind," he said.

Togadia is slated to address "Virat Hindu Samajotsav" in Bangalore on Dec 7, and its organisers say they expect tens of thousands of people to attend the programme.

Asked to comment on "parties" who are trying to take political advantage of "Datta Jayanti" celebrations at the centuries-old Hindu-Muslim shrine at Bababudangiri hills in Chikmagalur district on December 8, Krishna said the State Government would "certainly deal with parties with ulterior motives".

"The State Government is capable of facing the situation. Law and order shall be maintained," he asserted.

PTI