Hindu outfit members held for planning to hold ‘aarti’ in college

BHOPAL/VIDISHA: Over a dozen members of the right-wing Vishwa Sanatan Sangh, including leader Upadesh Rana, have been arrested by Vidisha police after they announced they would hold an ‘aarti’ of Bharat Mata inside St Mary PG College, an institution run by Christian missionaries.

Vidisha SP Vineet Kapoor said, “We arrested Upadesh Rana and others from Sanchi Road in the afternoon before he could reach St Mary College to hold ‘aarti’ of Bharat Mata. The situation is now normal. The college management was not in favour of holding such an ‘aarti’ and the administration too had not given permission for it.”

The incident comes a day after there was controversy in Ratlam where right-wing activists staged a demonstration outside the St Joseph Convent school to protest against alleged action taken against 32 school students for shouting Bharat Mata Ki Jai after school assembly.

All these students were allegedly barred from taking part in the pre-board exam of the school, a charge being probed by the administration. The school management has denied the allegations.

A while before his arrest, Rana said there was no justification in denying ‘aarti’ of Bharat Mata inside the college.

“When 90% of the students are Hindus, what is wrong in holding such an ‘aarti’?” Rana was quoted as saying in local media.

Earlier, over 300 cops were present in and around the college to prevent any untoward incident as the right-wingers had announced they would perform the ‘aarti’ at noon.