Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia ended his fast on Thursday, citing deteriorating health condition. He said he would now start a nationwide tour to revive “Hindutva politics”, PTI reported.
The 62-year-old launched an “indefinite fast” in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to demand the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the overall welfare of Hindus. He also demanded a ban on cow slaughter and the abolition of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Togadia quit as VHP’s international working president on April 14 after his nominee Raghav Reddy was defeated in the election for the post of the organisation’s president.
On Thursday, Togadia said that religious leaders had urged him to end his fast. He lost 3 kg during the period, and doctors said his kidneys could be affected if he continued his protest, IANS reported.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have proved to be “as bad as their predecessors” and failed to fulfil their promises, Togadia said after ending his fast.
“People are now asking whom they should vote for, as those who gained power in 2014 proved to be as bad as those who were ousted,” he said. “So I will try to establish Hindutva politics in 2019 to realise people’s aspirations. I will continue raising the voice of 100 crore Hindus by embarking on a pan-India tour from tomorrow.”
Togadia said he would also take up the problems of farmers, labourers and the youth. “Narendra bhai, instead of roaming around the world, try to solve the problems of the people of this county,” he urged the prime minister.
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