Friday, January 21 2005 19:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Branding BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Sangh Parivar as "reactionary forces", Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Jan 21, 2005) lashed out at them for their Opposition to American pastor Benny Hinn's prayer programme, which he attended along with some of his ministerial colleagues.

Rubbishing BJP claims that the State Government permitted the three-day "Festival of Blessings" to be addressed by Hinn at the behest of the Congress high command, Singh asked, "What did the Sangh Parivar do when the pastor held a similar show at Mumbai last year?.

Shiva Sena supremo Bal Thackeray attended the programme at Mumbai, Singh said while talking to sources in Bangalore.

Accusing BJP and Sangh Parivar of "politicising" all religious issues, Singh defended the permission granted to hold the prayer meeting saying "constitution has guaranteed right to all faiths to worship and practice their religion".

"I am going there as the Chief Minister of the State as I have done on earlier occasions honouring invitations extended to me by several religious institutions".

"When our spiritual leaders could visit foreign countries and conduct prayers, why not leaders of other faiths be not tolerated by us", Singh questioned, obviously attacking BJP for its protests against Hinn's programme.

The Chief Minister appealed to people of the city to cooperate with the Government in maintaining peace and order during the festival of blessings.