Friday, January 21 2005 14:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: For majority of Hindus and minority Muslims and the Christian communities today is a day to reckon with.

Today (Jan 21, 2005) being a national holiday on account of Bakrid, a symbol of sacrifice, Muslims were seen offering prayers in several masjids across Bangalore city. Bangalore city market, Shivajinagar, Chamarajpet areas all major centres with huge mosques and Muslims were seen hugging each other after offering prayers.

For a change, Bangalore roads wore a deserted look and traffic was easier except all roads leading to Jakkur Airfields on the outskirts of Bangalore, in a day of festival of doubles, the other being the "Bangalore Festival of Blessings"- Pray for India.

All over Bangalore there were many hoardings displaying the "festive mood", while some banners said, "come and be blessed", the others protesting against the Festival, read "Hindus wont tolerate conversion" and "Arrest false prophet Benny Hinn".

A three-day event begins from today and in a couple of hours Benny Hinn is going to Pray for India at the Jakkur airbase.

While the organisers are expecting a turnout of a couple of lakhs of people, the Hindu organisations, the heads of Mutts have started a serious agitation against Benny's visit to Bangalore.

Many unfavourable activities were seen like organising protest seminars, meetings and seizing the advertisement materials (pamphlets allegedly circulated by Benny Hinn's supporters ridiculing other religions especially Hindus and likening them to prostitution and black magic) all over Bangalore and select parts of Karnataka.

As many as three Public Interest Litigation cases were filed against this prayer meeting for which the courts have refused to give a stay order. All said and done "Pray for India" is all set to unfold.

There were other diverse opinions about the Bangalore Festival of Blessings. The KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) president Janardhana Poojary and Congress Chief Minister Dharam Singh were the only two who have supported the event.

There were bickering within the Cabinet when a few senior-ranked Ministers were against Benny's visit.

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and its outfits were up against Benny Hinn's visit alleging that the so-called Godman's only goal is to collect money and promote large-scale conversion.

However, BJP Member of Parliament and retired Police Chief, Sangliana has a different opinion and according to him, Benny Hinn is an evangelist who simply offers prayers for India. He had also issued an advertisement in the media requesting people to allow Benny Hinn to conduct prayers peacefully in Bangalore much to the chagrin of several BJP leaders.

In the meanwhile, the agitation is on in Bangalore with many cases of stone-pelting and obstruction of traffic reported from different corners of the city while a group of people are reported to have attempted to burn a Government bus on airport road.

Police on the other hand have made elaborate security arrangement to see to it that nothing goes wrong.

Mariswamy, Bangalore Police Commissioner told indiainfo.com that the police have taken every caution to maintain law and order.

A 10,000-strong police force is deployed in and around Jakkur where the meeting is planned. So also, the police are patrolling different parts of Bangalore city especially areas that have been identified as sensitive places.

Benny Hinn arrived in Bangalore yesterday and held a small prayer meeting after which he met Ministers and dignitaries over dinner at the posh Leela Palace.

Benny after his arrival has said, "I am not a Godman, I am not a healer, God is the healer but I welcome all Indians, who are sick and needy, with open arms."