Monday, January 24 2005 12:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Thousands of people thronged the prayer meeting of controversial American evangelist Benny Hinn in Bangalore yesterday (Jan 23, 2005) who wound his India trip, promising to return next year to Hyderabad, while the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) prepared to make his event an issue in the Karnataka Assembly today (Jan 24, 2005).

Hinn claimed through his prayer to "cure" several people of ailments and diseases with the blessings of Jesus, but hundreds of disabled and sick people returned disappointed without getting any remedy for their problems.

"I love India and I will come back to India," Hinn said, adding, that his ministry, based out of Bangalore will hold a similar congregation in February 2006 at Hyderabad.

A city doctor meanwhile has lodged a complaint with the police against Hinn and the organisers of the show, seeking action for what he said was the death of a man due to cardiac arrest after being pushed by Hinn, while on stage. Police said that the complaint was not strong to investigate.

The State Government, which was under attack by BJP for allowing Hinn to hold the three-day prayer meet had made elaborate security arrangements deploying nearly 10,000 personnel.

Scores of buses were damaged on Friday (Jan 21, 2005) in a bundh called by Hindu Jagarana Vedike alleging the prayer meet was aimed at "conversion".