Togadia's remarks sparks storm, EC seeks tape of his speech

A storm has been created over VHP President Pravin Togadia's reported statement that Muslims should be stopped from buying property in Hindu-majority areas, remarks which drew sharp attacks from political parties today even as the Election Commission sought a tape of his speech.
BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said "if these reported remarks are correct, we completely denounce them. It is not BJP's view. Whatever decision the EC takes in this regard, Gujarat government is bound to follow".
Speaking at a house in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Togadia said "This is being done by Muslims in villages and across India. Their strategy is to buy one house at a good price and then buy Hindu properties at throw-away prices...There are two ways to stop this...Govt enforces Disturbed Areas Act. You put pressure on the government to enforce the Disturbed Areas Act the way we have in cities like Ahmedabad."

The Disturbed Areas Act makes it tough to sell property to a member of the minority community in a neighbourhood.
Togadia was also quoted as saying that "...For protecting the Hindus, it is okay to put pressure on anyone. I have done this before and kept the possession of the house with me for a long time using the Bajrang Dal poster. The Muslim fellow lost the house and his money and we should have it in us to take the law in our hands in an area we are in majority".
NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal said the Indian society has no place for such people, RSS dismissed the report, saying that "no swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines."

Congress slammed Togadia's remarks with its leader Kapil Sibal saying "he always spreads venom...And he belongs to that category of people in this country who do not believe in the unity and the integrity of India. What can you say about people like this?"

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said "in this country, if Hindus stay in a Hindu area and Muslims in a Muslim area, and they are not allowed to buy property in each other's areas, it will be against the Constitution".
Under-fire Togadia termed the media reports about his controversial remarks as "false, malafide and mischievous".
"The report about a misinformed incident in Gujarat... Is false, malafide and mischievous," Togadia said in a statement issued on his behalf by his lawyer.

"We wish to state here emphatically that there was nothing socially or legally wrong in the above advice given by my client to the said group as mentioned. The said report gives a completely false story intended to malign my client socially...," it said.
Togadia said legal notices had been issued by his lawyer to media houses in delhi and Gujarat.