<p>The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in Odisha's Kandhamal district Saturday to protest the ban on the entry of its top leader Pravin Togadia into the region, a leader said Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"We have called for a total shutdown in the district. However, the emergency services will continue as usual," VHP leader Bhagaban Mohanty told IANS.<br /><br />"The administration is maintaining a double standard. While it had allowed Christian missionaries to hold meetings in the region, it is restricting a Hindu leader which is most unfortunate," he said.<br /><br />Togadia was scheduled to address a gathering of VHP supporters at Phulbani, the district headquarters town of Kandhamal, Feb 28. Authorities Thursday imposed a ban on his entry to the district after apprehension that it might disturb the peace in the area.<br /><br />At least 38 people were killed and thousands had to flee their homes following widespread communal violence in the region in 2008 after the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.<br /><br />Different Christian groups had moved the local and state administration seeking a ban on the proposed visit of Togadia, saying his fiery speeches might upset the fragile peace between communities.<br /></p>
<p>The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in Odisha's Kandhamal district Saturday to protest the ban on the entry of its top leader Pravin Togadia into the region, a leader said Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"We have called for a total shutdown in the district. However, the emergency services will continue as usual," VHP leader Bhagaban Mohanty told IANS.<br /><br />"The administration is maintaining a double standard. While it had allowed Christian missionaries to hold meetings in the region, it is restricting a Hindu leader which is most unfortunate," he said.<br /><br />Togadia was scheduled to address a gathering of VHP supporters at Phulbani, the district headquarters town of Kandhamal, Feb 28. Authorities Thursday imposed a ban on his entry to the district after apprehension that it might disturb the peace in the area.<br /><br />At least 38 people were killed and thousands had to flee their homes following widespread communal violence in the region in 2008 after the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.<br /><br />Different Christian groups had moved the local and state administration seeking a ban on the proposed visit of Togadia, saying his fiery speeches might upset the fragile peace between communities.<br /></p>