Thursday, January 20 2005 18:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Decks were cleared today (Jan 20, 2005) for controversial American evangelist Benny Hinn's programme in Bangalore from tomorrow (Jan 21, 2005) as the Karnataka High Court refused to grant an interim stay on the event, which has come under fire from BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Sangh Parivar outfits as targetted at conversion.

Observing that there was absolutely no prima facie satisfactory material on the basis of which an opinion could be formed at this stage that the organisers had a hidden agenda to convert people from other faiths to Christianity by force at the three-day event, the court said there was no need for it to issue an interim order.

A Division Bench comprising Justice S R Nayak and Justice Ajit Gunjal also observed that the Police Commissioner and the Advocate General had assured that every arrangement had been made to conduct the programme in a "smooth manner" and that the information gathered by the Government did not indicate any forced conversion to Christianity on the part of the organisers.

Hindu Jagarana Vedike had filed the petition alleging that Hinn had organised the mass conversion prayer in the guise of "Pray for India" rally and that as a Christian evangelist and preacher, he was known for his abusive language against other religions.

Counsel for Hinn submitted that he is coming to India to participate in the rally and that he would invoke the blessings of Lord Jesus to help the people of India to overcome several disadvantages to which they have been presently subjected to.