the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, with a stated commitment to an ideology based on Hindu nationalis. According to the Hindustan Times, sources within the Sangh Parivar stated that Togadia's frequent criticism of Modi and of the Modi government had caused people within the Sangh Parivar to agitate for his removal. In 2017, Togadia established a helpline, with the stated aim of providing free medical consultation to the poor. Controversies 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. He was released on bail on the condition that he would not distribute tridents. However, he continued to distribute them in other states. As of August 2013, Togadia had faced 19 criminal cases for making hate speeches, the maximum number of such cases for any one in the country. 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. In April 2014, a First Information Report was registered against Togadia in Bhavnagar after an alleged hate speech instructing Hindus to evict Muslims from their neighbourhoods. Since the statements were made in the midst of general elections, when the 'model code of conduct' was in force, the Election Commission directed the district administration to take action. Togadia denied having made such statements and RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav backed him, stating "No swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines. They think of all people as one. One people, one nation." However, video recordings of his speech were soon aired on television channels. Narendra Modi disapproved the statements on Twitter, calling them "petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers". In June 2014, a local court ordered the police to submit an 'action taken' report for the case. References Bibliography External links 1956 births Living people Marwari people Hindutva Indian Hindu religious leaders People from Amreli district Indian oncologists Vishva Hindu Parishad members Indian Hindus Activists from Gujarat Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members 2002 Gujarat riots Medical doctors from Gujarat President of Vishva Hindu Parishad