‘Why fight Benny Hinn?’

The city is not on his itinerary this year, but a controversial American evangelist’s prime supporter is from Mumbai and standing by hi...

The city is not on his itinerary this year, but a controversial American evangelist’s prime supporter is from Mumbai and standing by him. Florida pastor Benny Hinn’s proposed three-day (January 21-23) ‘‘Prayer for India’’ visit to Bangalore — where 10 million are expected to congregate at an airfield — has created a furore there.

While the Sangh Parivar has threatened to sabotage the priest’s prayer meet, noted Kannada writer and Jnanpith Award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy has asked Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh to dissociate himself from such ‘‘mass hysteria’’.

‘‘During his visit to Mumbai last year, Benny Hinn didn’t utter a word about conversion,’’ seafood exporter Gul Kriplani (60) told Express from Bangalore, where he is arranging the preacher’s programme.

Story continues below this ad

Kripalani is chairman of the Festival of Blessings, the organisation that has invited Hinn to India. ‘‘He is coming to pray for India, and for all its communities,’’ said Kripalani.

Kriplani is well known in Mumbai’s party circuit, where Hinn’s gospel has become increasingly popular. When asked how Hinn’s followers are countering the Parivar’s protest, Kripalani said: ‘‘God will counter their protest.’’

Algerian-French artist’s work vandalised at Kochi art gallery over ‘obscenity’ allegations

India2 hr ago

Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar's linocut prints were vandalised by two artists at an international exhibition in Kochi. The exhibition, curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger, was organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi and opened on October 18.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS