Against the backdrop of violence at a base camp of the Amarnath Yatra, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia on Saturday issued a veiled warning to the Muslims, saying they may have forgotten the 2002 Gujarat riots but would remember the Muzaffarnagar riots of last year.
"Aap Gujarat bhul gaye honge, par aapko Muzaffarnagar yaad hoga," said Togadia, who was here to address a press conference on the World Hindu Congress Summit proposed to be held in New Delhi in November this year. Scores of people, mostly Muslims, were killed in both the communal incidents.
"If you set Hanuman's tail on fire, Lanka will burn. The Godhra incident led to the Gujarat riots, and the alleged rape of a Hindu girl led to the Muzaffarnagar riots," he added.
About 40 people were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in Baltal base camp of the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir after a scuffle between a local pony operator and a cook turned violent. Around 100 tents and half a dozen 'langars' (community kitchens) were also torched during the clashes.
Todagia's statement came within days of VHP patron Ashok Singhal's comment that "tables had turned for the Muslims" in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
{{/usCountry}}Todagia's statement came within days of VHP patron Ashok Singhal's comment that "tables had turned for the Muslims" in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
{{/usCountry}}On the violence at the Amarnath Yatra camp, Togadia demanded that a central team should be sent to investigate the matter, and fast track courts should decide the cases. He also held the Jammu and Kashmir government responsible for the violence.
Asked for his reaction on journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik's meeting with Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, he said that anyone who talks of dividing Kashimir should be booked for sedition.