The BJP government in India's Rajasthan state has withdrawn a case of treason against a hardline Hindu leader.
Praveen Togadia was arrested at a rally in the city of Ajmer in April 2003 accused of inciting religious hatred.
He is a senior leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) which is closely linked to the BJP.
The BJP says he has no case to answer after legislation passed by the former Congress administration was repealed.
Critics have attacked the move.
Mr Togadia was alleged to have handed out tridents - a
traditional spear-like Hindu symbol - at the rally, in violation of a
ban on the possession and distribution of sharp weapons in Rajasthan.
A senior Ajmer police official, Sunil Mathur, said
police had not filed charges against Mr Togadia in the absence of
permission from the government.
Human rights bodies and Muslim groups have strongly opposed the move and said they will challenge it.
A spokeswoman for the human rights group, People's Union
for Civil Liberties, said the government's move was aimed at creating
"fear" among the minorities.
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