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Trident distribution to continue: Togadia

Ajmer, April 22
Soon after his release from prison on bail on the condition that he would not defy the ban on trident distribution in Rajasthan, an unrelenting VHP leader Praveen Togadia today announced that the programme would continue in the state.

“Trishul, the icon of Lord Shiva, has not been named as such in the notification issued by the Rajasthan Government, banning the possession, display and distribution of any multi-blade weapon. Therefore, the VHP will continue to hold Trishul distribution ceremonies in a democratic and constitutional way”, Mr Togadia told mediapersons after his release from central jail here.

By branding trishul as a weapon, the Ashok Gehlot government had hurt the sentiments of Hindus, for which it would have to pay heavily in the coming elections, he said.

Without committing himself to such distribution events, he refuted suggestions that the VHP programme was being carried out with an eye on the coming Assembly poll.

JAIPUR: Fourteen VHP and Bajrang Dal workers were taken into custody at Nokha in Bikaner district on Tuesday on the charge of violating prohibitory orders.

The VHP had earlier announced that it would conduct trishul diksha at Nokha. Contesting the police version, VHP spokesman Mahaveer Pareek said around 24 persons received tridents at a brief ceremony at the Ramdeo temple in the town. PTI, UNI