The police registered an FIR against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Praveen Tog adia on Thursday for allegedly delivering a hate speech in Nanded.

At a public meeting on January 22, Togadia had allegedly taken potshots at Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi for the latter’s alleged hate speech in December in Andhra Pradesh.

The home ministry has asked the Prithviraj Chavan-led Maharashtra government to investigate the allegation.  “The home ministry’s advice is clear.

"Once they have confirmed forensic evidence, appropriate action as per law must be taken against Togadia,” an official said.

The Maharashtra government was criticised for not initiating action against the VHP leader, especially since Owaisi had been arrested.