The sixth international course on deliverance, an event on exorcism which was scheduled to take place in Bengaluru, has been cancelled after a complaint against it was filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary Girish Bharadwaja. The event, a course on exorcism, was being organised by Bengaluru based Light of Christian Covenant Community from 13th to 19th October. The main address was to be delivered by a world-renowned exorcist from Malta, while participants from Dubai, Malaysia, Rome and Singapore were expected to attend the event.
Exorcism Course Event cancelled. Foreign Pastors are blacklisted for misusing Indian VISA. I have urged Bengaluru Police to Book Organisers under Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of InHuman Evil Practises Act @noconversion @lawinforce @punarutthana @UnSubtleDesi @shakkuiyer pic.twitter.com/GMqkjLV3aS
— Girish Bharadwaja (@Girishvhp) October 16, 2019
Girish Bharadwaja had complained with Bengaluru Police against the event saying that it violates Indian visa rules and the Karnataka anti-superstition act. According to visa rules, preaching or propagating is not allowed in India under any visa category, and no visa is granted to evangelists who desire to come to India to attend religious campaigns.
On the other hand, the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act, commonly known as the anti-superstition act, makes it illegal to exploit people in the name of black magic and evil spirit. Exorcism refers to a practice of evicting demons or evil spirits from a person, or an area, that is supposed to be possessed by such demons. In Christianity, some members of the church are believed to be graced with special powers to evict demons. Therefore, the practice and propagation of Christian exorcism violates the anti-superstition law.
Acting on the complaint, now the Bengaluru police have stopped the event. The foreign pastors have also been blacklisted for misusing India visa, Girish Bharadwaja was informed by the police. The Facebook page for the event also has been deleted as a result of the cancellation. A webpage detailing about the event has also been deleted by a website called Indian Catholic Matters.
