Bangalore, Sept. 15 :    Bangalore, Sept. 15:  Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal's birthday celebrations triggered violence in Hubli, leaving one dead and one critically wounded. The victim died in police firing. Trouble started when a procession of about 10,000 VHP supporters defied police orders against marching past a mosque on the town's main road. The VHP men tried to force their way into the mosque and attacked policemen when they intervened, police said. The crowd started pelting stones, sparking tension in other areas of the town, where police fired to quell rioters. Over 20 people, including five policemen, were injured. There were reports of stabbing and arson. Several shops in Karnataka town were looted and torched. A police jeep, a car and two autorickshaws were set on fire. Additional director-general of police M.D. Singh said the violence erupted after VHP supporters scuffled with policemen. 'They tried to enter and create a ruckus. The police intervened, leading to a scuffle,' he said. However, VHP leaders claimed that stones were thrown at the procession from the mosque. Before rushing to the affected areas, Singh said prohibitory orders were in place. Additional policemen have been requisitioned from neighbouring Belgaum, Gulbarga and Davangere districts. 'There is a lot of tension,' Singh said, adding that a night curfew had been imposed to prevent violence. The situation was under control and police had banned people from assembling in groups, he said. Despite the violence, VHP leaders went ahead with the celebrations in the evening. Singhal, who turned 75 today, was felicitated by thousands of supporters who hailed him for his role in championing the cause of Hindus. The VHP leader was in the forefront of the movement to demolish the Babri Masjid. Hubli is known to be communally sensitive. The BJP had launched an agitation in the town in the early '90s for raising the national flag at the disputed Idgah Maidan. The BJP and its allied organisations used to march to the maidan on Republic Day and Independence Day every year to hoist the flag, but were stopped by the police. The dispute was settled in 1995, when H.D. Deve Gowda was chief minister.