On 26 May 2019, a tragic event occurred in Bellampalli, Mancherial district, Telangana, when Girishetti Mangamma, a poor woman, brought her son, Rajesh, suffering from severe fever to Calvary Ministries Church. Believing that the pastor’s prayers could heal her 21-year-old son, Rajesh was initially instructed to sit in the church and participate in prayers with his right palm on his head. However, as Rajesh’s condition worsened, efforts to admit him to a hospital were obstructed by the pastors, leading to his untimely death. Although a case was registered under sections 304-II r/w 420 r/w 34 IPC based on Mangamma’s complaint, it was closed after both parties reached a compromise.
In a similar incident on 25 August 2023, a young man traveled over 200 kilometers from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, with his deceased mother’s body to Calvary Ministries, hoping Pastor Praveen Kumar could revive her miraculously by touching her head. These incidents have sparked controversy, highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through false promises of healing and miracles. They underscore the dangers of blind faith and superstition among less educated, impoverished, and marginalized communities.
Calvary Ministries – A Hub For Exploitation
Calvary Ministries in Bellampalli has become a center for promoting superstitions and unfounded beliefs, overshadowing modern medical practices. Individuals are lured to convert to Christianity through displays of miracle cures. They are coerced into donating substantial amounts of cash and goods, including gold ornaments and special gifts to pastors and their spouses. This persuasion often includes subtle threats of divine retribution for non-compliance.
Despite legal actions against the pastors involved, the underlying issues of superstition and exploitation persist, continuing to affect vulnerable communities. These incidents reveal how so-called miracle healers exploit individuals by offering false hope instead of encouraging legitimate medical treatment from hospitals.
Recently, the Kasipet police registered an FIR against the pastors of Calvary Ministries under sections 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. This case involves accusations that Pastor Praveen Kumar and his wife Sharon subjected a minor girl to cruelty under the pretense of miracle healing. A video uploaded to Praveen Kumar’s YouTube channel on 16 May 2024, claimed they healed a girl undergoing treatment for kidney failure. Despite medical warnings, the girl was brought from the intensive care unit (ICU) to Praveen Kumar’s healing session, where she was coerced into activities against medical advice.
The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) alerted the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), leading the Mancherial District Collector and the Deputy Commissioner of Police to promptly file an FIR and prepare an action report within three days. The Child Protection Department in Mancherial is currently conducting an active investigation into the girl’s health status and location.
The Kasipet police have filed an FIR under IPC Section 420 and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. However, questions remain as to why sections of the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954, which directly relate to the incident, were not included in the FIR.
Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954
The Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 is an Indian legislation aimed at regulating the advertisement of drugs to prevent misleading claims about their effects. Section 3 of the Act prohibits advertisements that promote drugs for specific purposes such as procuring miscarriage, enhancing sexual pleasure, correcting menstrual disorders, and treating a list of scheduled diseases. Section 5 prohibits advertisements of magic remedies for treating certain diseases and disorders. Penalties for contravening the Act include imprisonment and fines, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
Previous Case Of Externment In Goa
In January 2024, Goa police arrested Pastor Dominic D’Souza and his wife, Joan Mascarenhas, for offences related to magic remedies and allegedly hurting religious sentiments. They faced charges under sections 153A, 295A, and 506(ii) of the IPC, as well as Sections 3, 4, and 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Following their arrest, the Goa Police initiated externment proceedings against them from North Goa for six months.
These cases highlight the urgent need for stringent enforcement of laws to protect individuals from falling victim to superstitions and exploitation by so-called miracle healers.
AS Santosh is an activist and president of the Legal Rights Protection Forum.
(This article was originally published here and is republished with permission)
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