HVK Archives: Priest in Ambernath held for attempts at 'exorcism'
Priest in Ambernath held for attempts at 'exorcism' - The Indian Express
Yogesh Pawar
()
February 10, 1999
Title: Priest in Ambernath held for attempts at 'exorcism'
Author: Yogesh Pawar
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 10, 1999
An evangelical priest George David Manuel (48) was arrested by Ambernath
police today following a complaint that he had burnt portraits of Hindu
gods and goddesses, to exorcise evil. He has been booked under Section
295 of Indian Penal Code.
David was introduced to a certain Kaundal family living m the Swaminagar
slums of Ambernath (W) by local corporator Meenaxi Selvaraj (JD), said
Jamuna Kaundal. The priest, said the complainant had been brought in to
treat Jamuna's brother Krishna, who used to get violent fits.
The family had taken Krishna to many sadhus in an effort to cure him but
when nothing worked, his mother contacted Selvaraj, a family friend, who
then got in touch with David.
"Meenaxi aunty claimed he was good at exorcism", recounted Jamuna. The
priest, who's well-known in the area as he had been operating from
Ambernath till a year ago, came to their house on February 2. He began
by asking the entire family to drink holy water which he made. "He would
prick his fingers with a needle and let out blood from his fingers into
a glass of water, which he would make us drink. He would then keep his
hands on our heads and chant in Marathi, 'In the name of the father and
the son and the holy ghost.'" This Sunday, the Kaundals' brother-in-law,
Selvam, who had come to visit them, had an argument with the priest when
the latter insisted he wipe off the vemillion mark on his forehead
before entering the house. "When I forced myself into the house, I
found all the portraits of gods and goddesses, and also that of my
father-in-law, had been pulled off the walls and tied into a bundle,"
Selvam said.
The priest then took the bundle outside and lit a bonfire despite
Selvam's protests. "I'm burning all the evil sprits in your house,"
David said. An angry crowd of neighbours informed by Selvam then gave
the priest a sound thrashing before he took refuge in the JD
corporator's home.
A police complaint was then lodged and David was arrested.
When this reporter met him he smilingly said, "I was only doing God's
work, nobody understands." He admitted to burning portraits of gods and
goddesses. "I was exorcising evil spirits," he told Express Newsline.
PSI Vikram Pawar said: "David has been held for burning portraits of
gods in front of the crowd. It (the act) could've created a dangerous
law and order problem."
Back
Top
|
