FIR against Pravin Togadia in Bengal

An FIR was registered Thursday against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia and functionary Jugal Kishore for hurting religious sentiments following the alleged conversion of over 100 tribals in West Bengal, police said.

The state's ruling Trinamool Congress had alleged that the VHP conducted a 'ghar wapsi' ceremony at Kharmadanga village in Rampurhat in the district Wednesday during which nearly 150 Christians were 'forcibly' converted.

The VHP refuted the charges of conversion but claimed that a Hindu religious ceremony was conducted that was participated by over 1,000 people from the village, including Muslims and Christians.

"On the basis of a complaint by one Dhin Murmu, we have registered an FIR (first information report) against Pravin Togadia and Jugal Kishore on charges of hurting religious sentiments," Koteshwar Rao, sub-divisional police officer of Rampurhat, told IANS.

VHP general secretary organisation (East) Sachindra Nath Sinha, Wednesday had denied charges of conversion claiming it was a Hindu religious ceremony and not a 'ghar wapsi' (home-coming) - a term now being used to describe a conversion ceremony.

Reacting strongly, Trinamool Rajya Sabha chief whip Derek O'Brien said the state government was ascertaining details and if there was "even a hint of coercion or forced conversion, the issue will be dealt in the strongest manner possible".