Pravin Togadia: Difference between revisions

| name = Dr Pravin Togadia

| caption = Dr Pravin Togadia in 2008

| birth_place = [[Amreli district|Sajantimba]], [[GujaratBombay State]], [[India]]<br>(now in [[Gujarat]], [[India]])

| nationality = {{flagicon|India}} [[Indian people|Indian]]

| citizenship = [[India]]

[[Physician|Doctor]] ([[Surgeon]])|[[Social activist]]}}

Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad|[[Vishva Hindu Parishad]]}}

'''Dr Pravin Togadia''' ({{IPA-gu|Praviṇa tōgaḍiyā}}; born 12 December 1956) is an Indian doctor, cancer surgeon and an advocate for [[Hindu nationalism]], coming from the state of [[Gujarat]]. He was the former International Working President of the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (VHP) and a [[Surgeon|cancer surgeon]] by qualification.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brosius|first1=Christiane|editor1-last=Gengnagel|editor1-first=Jörg|editor2-last=Horstmann|editor2-first=Monika|editor3-last=Schwedler|editor3-first=Gerald|title=Parading Violence: The Politics of Spectacle in a Hindu Nationalist Procession|date=2008|publisher=Böhlau Verlag Köln Weimar|isbn=9783412191061|page=313|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ihbi_hRI0d4C|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085918/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ihbi_hRI0d4C|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-23/news/49347870_1_pravin-togadia-speech-cases-akbaruddin-owaisi |title={title} |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903185744/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-23/news/49347870_1_pravin-togadia-speech-cases-akbaruddin-owaisi |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He is Founder and Current President of Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad. He had a falling out with the [[Sangh Parivar]] and is a vocal critic of Narendra Modi.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sangh Parivar has become personality-oriented, political: Togadia|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/11/16/sangh-parivar-has-become-personality-oriented-political-togadia.html|access-date=16 November 2020|website=The Week|language=en|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413115052/https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/11/16/sangh-parivar-has-become-personality-oriented-political-togadia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/praveen-togadia-hopes-to-end-modi-rss-regime-with-new-party-in-2019-build-ram-temple-1436118-2019-01-21|title=Modi never sold tea, just a gimmick to gain sympathy, says Praveen Togadia - Elections News|website=India Today|date=22 January 2019|author=Siraj Qureshi|access-date=20 December 2020|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413115052/https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/praveen-togadia-hopes-to-end-modi-rss-regime-with-new-party-in-2019-build-ram-temple-1436118-2019-01-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

Togadia was (born on 12 December, 1956.) Hein a Gujarati Jain family moved to [[Ahmedabad]] at age 10 and joined the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) soon after. He received a bachelor's degree in medicine (MBBS) followed by a master's degree (MS) in [[surgical oncology]]. He practised as a surgeon for fourteen years and established a hospital, Dhanvantri Hospital, in Ahmedabad.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |title=Profiles of new committee, Dec 2011 |url=http://vhp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PROFILE-OF-NEW-committee.pdf |publisher=Vishva Hindu Parishad |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018220356/http://vhp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PROFILE-OF-NEW-committee.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="milli">{{cite news|url=http://www.milligazette.com/dailyupdate/2004/20040528a.htm|title=India – Togadia may be deprived of medical degree|date=28 May 2004|work=[[The Milli Gazette]]|access-date=9 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221051058/http://www.milligazette.com/dailyupdate/2004/20040528a.htm|archive-date=21 February 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was born in a farmer family and belongs to [[Patidar|Patel]] community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/gujarat/story/dr-praveen-togadia-profile-mbbs-rss-vhp-gujarat-ahmedabad-tpt-529189-2018-01-16|title=कभी तूती बोलती थी तोगड़िया की, आज आंखों में आंसू-एनकाउंटर का डर|website=Aaj Tak|date=16 January 2018|accessdate=28 February 2023|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228173523/https://www.aajtak.in/india/gujarat/story/dr-praveen-togadia-profile-mbbs-rss-vhp-gujarat-ahmedabad-tpt-529189-2018-01-16|url-status=live}}</ref>

When [[Shankersinh Vaghela]] fell out with BJP and became a Chief Minister with the help of the [[Indian National Congress]] party, he imprisoned Togadia for an alleged assault on BJP politicians. Modi campaigned for his release.<ref name=Modi/> Soon afterwards, Togadia was appointed as the General Secretary of the VHP at the national level.<ref name=brothers>{{cite news |title=Band of Brothers |newspaper=Express India |date=17 March 2002 |access-date=3 September 2014 |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/flair/20020317/1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20140903163246/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/flair/20020317/1.html |archive-date=3 September 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, he continued to be active in Gujarat. ''[[Express India]]'' credits his legacy in Gujarat for "bearing fruit" in the [[2002 Gujarat riots]].<ref name=brothers/>

When Modi was banished to Delhi by [[Keshubhai Patel]], Togadia provided him support in Gujarat. Modi was eventually installed as the Chief Minister in 2001, with strong support from Togadia. In return for his support, Modi is said to have inducted [[Gordhan Zadafia]], Togadia's "right hand man" in VHP, as the Minister of State for Home.<ref name=Modi/> Togadia hailed the Modi Government as the start of the "[[Hindu Rashtra]]". In January 2002, he asked Hindus to cut all relations with Muslims.{{sfn|Bunsha|2005|p=42}} Through Zadafia, Togadia had an inside track into Modi's first government and had a substantial say in the postings of police officers in Gujarat. Some reports say this enabled VHP and [[Bajrang Dal]] to orchestrate so-called [[saffron terror]] during the [[2002 Gujarat riots]]. But these allegations on [[Narendra Modi]] was removed by subsequent courts proceedings. {{sfn|Bunsha|2005|p=55}} Togadia and VHP/BJP activists also interfered with the treatment of victims in hospitals, telling doctors whom to treat and whom to turn away.{{sfn|Bunsha|2005|p=94}} Togadia hailed the conduct of the riots as the "Hindutva laboratory" and said that it will be replicated in Delhi. "A Hindu Rashtra can be expected in the next two years... We will change India's history and Pakistan's geography by then," he said.{{sfn|Bunsha|2005|pp=12,25}} In the December 2002 elections to the Gujarat Assembly, Togadia campaigned for BJP enthusiastically, addressing more than 100 rallies.<ref name=Modi/>

After the December 2002 elections, however, Modi dropped Zadafia from his council of ministers, signaling to Togadia that his interference in government would not be welcome. Modi's biographer Andy Marino states that, while Modi took the blame for the 2002 riots, he knew the culpability of Togadia and the VHP. Togadia is reported to have complained after the elections that Modi was garnering all the "credit" for the riots whereas it was his men that did all the killing.{{sfn|Nag|2013|p=13}}{{sfn|Marino|2014|p=165}} During his second term of office, Modi took action against VHP interests and activists, both out of his own initiative as well as due to pressure from the Supreme courtCourt.

In October 2003, [[Ashok Singhal]] signalled his retirement due to ill health and Togadia was informally appointed as the leader of VHP.<ref name=Singhal>{{cite news |title=Togadia to take over as VHP chief |author=Ajay Jha |newspaper=Gulf News |date=25 October 2003 |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/togadia-to-take-over-as-vhp-chief-1.368492 |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413115110/https://gulfnews.com/uae/togadia-to-take-over-as-vhp-chief-1.368492 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=head>{{cite news |title=Togadia to head Viswa Hindu Parishad |newspaper=rediff.com |date=23 October 2003 |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/oct/23vhp.htm |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904190507/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/oct/23vhp.htm |archive-date=4 September 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The formal appointment as the International Working President (the top executive position) was made in 2011.<ref name=working>{{cite news |title=Togadia new Working President, Raghav Reddy new President |newspaper=Desh Gujarat |date=18 December 2011 |access-date=4 September 2014|url=http://deshgujarat.com/2011/12/18/togadia-new-executive-president-raghav-reddy-new-president/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904151429/http://deshgujarat.com/2011/12/18/togadia-new-executive-president-raghav-reddy-new-president/ |archive-date=4 September 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Togadia resigned as international working president of the VHP in April 2018, after a candidate he supported lost an internal election to the post of VHP President. He then launched a new organisation, the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, with a stated commitment to an ideology based on [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalis]].<ref name="HT 2018">{{cite news |title=Pravin Togadia to visit Ayodhya today for first time after launching new organisation |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/praveen-togadia-to-visit-ayodhya-today-for-first-time-after-launching-new-organisation/story-Uxq7jVqyzmcCkadLcU9MvJ.html |access-date=14 May 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514151644/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/praveen-togadia-to-visit-ayodhya-today-for-first-time-after-launching-new-organisation/story-Uxq7jVqyzmcCkadLcU9MvJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', sources within the [[Sangh Parivar]] stated that Togadia's frequent criticism of Modi and of the [[Premiership of Narendra Modi|Modi government]] had caused people within the Sangh Parivar to agitate for his removal.<ref name="HT 2018"/>

In 2017, Togadia established a helpline, with the stated aim of providing free medical consultation to the poor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/togadia-launches-helpline-for-poor-patients/cid/1435261|title=Togadia launches helpline for poor patients|website=telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413115100/https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/togadia-launches-helpline-for-poor-patients/cid/1435261|url-status=live}}</ref>

Togadia was arrested in April 2003 after distributing tridents to [[Bajrang Dal]] activists in Ajmer, in a ceremony termed "trishul deeksha," defying a state government ban.<ref>{{cite news |title=Togadia defies ban, distributes tridents |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 April 2003 |access-date=26 August 2014 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/04/14/stories/2003041404280100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218171206/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/04/14/stories/2003041404280100.htm |archive-date=18 February 2009 |url-status=liveusurped |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

He was arrested in August 2013 from Ayodhya along with other VHP leaders by the [[Uttar Pradesh Police]] before the planned 'Chaurasi Kosi [[Parikrama]] [[Yatra]]' that was banned over fears of communal flareup.<ref name="kosi">{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-praveen-togadia-ashok-singhal-among-1700-arrested-vhp-inagurates-yatra-1879881|title=Praveen Togadia, Ashok Singhal among 1,700 arrested VHP inagurates [sic] yatra|date=25 August 2013|work=[[Daily News & Analysis|dna]]|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113755/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-praveen-togadia-ashok-singhal-among-1700-arrested-vhp-inagurates-yatra-1879881|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* {{cite book|last=Bunsha|first=Dionne|author-link=Dionne Bunsha |title=Scarred: Experiments With Violence In Gujarat |year=2005 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|isbn=978-0-14-400076-0 |ref={{sfnref|Bunsha|2005}}|title-link=Scarred: Experiments With Violence In Gujarat}}

* {{cite book |last=Katju |first=Manjari |title=Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics |publisher=[[Orient Blackswan ]]|year=2013 |isbn=978-81-250-2476-7 |ref={{sfnref|Katju|2013}}}}

* {{cite book |last=Kumar |first=Praveen |title=Communal Crimes and National Integration: A Socio-Legal Study |publisher=Readworthy Publications |year=2011 |isbn=978-93-5018-040-2 |ref={{sfnref|Kumar|2011}}}}

* {{cite book|last=Marino |first=Andy |title=Narendra Modi: A Political Biography |year=2014 |publisher=[[HarperCollins|HarperCollins Publishers]] [[India ]]|isbn=978-93-5136-217-3 |refauthor-link={{sfnref|Andy Marino|2014}} (British writer)}}

* {{cite book |last=Nag |first=Kingshuk |author-link=Kingshuk Nag |title=The NaMo Story - A Political Life |year=2013 |publisher=Roli Books| isbn=978-8174369383 |ref=}}
{{sfnref|Nag|2013}}Refend}}