Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 8: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has raised objections against the participation of American religious preachers in a programme of religious instruction being organized at St Joseph Convent Girls High School hall on Saturday April 8 and Sunday. This programme has been arranged by Holy Spirit Generation Church.

American preachers, Patricia King, and Donna Schambach, have arrived at the city on April 3 to take part in the said programme. Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist, Gireesh Bhardwaj has filed complaint with Foreigners Regional Registration Office officials on Friday April 7, alleging that the two preachers, who are on a visit to the country on conference visas, are violating the rules and taking part in religious propagation.

Bhardwaj says that the two preachers, who belong to XP Ministries have violated visa rules by visiting India to take part in religious conversion activities organized by local church. He said that as per visa rules, foreigners cannot undertake religious instruction and propagation in India, and that Indian government cannot issue visas to preachers who want to take part in religious programme. He noted that these foreigners had sought visa to take part in religious campaign and misled the Indian embassy.

Rajendra, organizer of 'Power and Reality of the Kingdom prayer', clarified that only Christians take part in the programme where messages from God would be relayed. He said that this programme is held every Sunday and this Saturday. He is not sure whether this programme would be held on Sunday, but asserted that no religious conversions are taking place.

At the same time, Donna Schambach, who had tweeted in her twitter account on April 6 about the programme, deleted the same after Gireesh filed complaint. Gireesh had filed screen shots of the tweets along with his complaint. Keshav Naik, a Bajrang Dal leader, has complained to Pulakeshinagar police station here, claiming that a conspiracy to convert Hindus by offering lure of money in the guise of religious instruction is going on at the said programme, and has asked the police to stop the same.

Additional police commissioner, Hemant Nimbalkar, said that he had visited the high school hall and obtained details from the organizers. He stated that the organizers have confirmed that this programme has nothing to do with religious conversions. He said that if law is violated, the concerned would be brought to book.