BJP alleges 'double standards' in nod for Hinn's visit

The BJP on Monday attacked the Congress government for the “double standards” in the way it plans to pass the anti-superstition bill yet allows Christian televangelist Benny Hinn, who is a “believer in superstition,” to speak at a conference in Bangalore later this month.

Former minister S Suresh Kumar said that Hinn was “one of the better-known believers in superstition”.

“The government is planning to introduce a bill banning superstitious beliefs and actions. How is it that it is allowing this convention to be held?” he asked in an interaction with reporters.

The BJP leader claimed that Hinn was “one of the biggest propagators of religious conversion,” and his actions were “likely to arouse communal feelings” among the people of Karnataka.

Referring to the violent protests that broke out during Hinn’s last visit to Bangalore in 2005, Kumar said that Siddaramaiah had himself raised objections then.

“But this time, Siddaramaiah himself is said to be going to welcome Hinn and meet him at Jakkur where the conference has been scheduled,” he said. Kumar warned the government of “backlash” if Hinn’s visit remained intact.

He said the BJP would plan its course of action in the next two to three days if the government did not revoke the decision to allow Hinn’s
visit.