Bandra meet raises VHP's hackles

Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 14, 2004
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/496170.cms

Preacher Benny Hinn's 'Pray for India ' meet, scheduled to begin in the city on Friday, has raised the hackles of not only the Catholic Church but the Vishwa Hindu Parishad as well.
 
VHP activists, besides filing a police complaint, have warned that they will take action at the venue if anything objectionable is said about the Hindu religion or India .
 
The complaint, filed with the commissioner of police, demands that the police investigate two things: whether the preacher is misusing a tourist visa and what the source of his funding is.
 
It also stresses that should there be an attempt at conversion, it should be stopped immediately. "Top police officials have assured us that the event will be monitored closely and action will be taken if necessary," says Arun Handa of theMumbai VHP.
 
Alleging that the purpose of the rally is religious conversion, the VHP cites Mr Hinn's background-which they claim is evangelistic-as proof. "In a secular country like India , such conventions are a clear violation of secularism," says a spokesperson.
 
Bajrang Dal activist Sandeep Tondapurkar declares that the organisers need to clarify what praying for India means.
 

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