Hubli: Bharat Kranti Sena chief Pranavananda Swami tried to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on himself, during a protest staged in front of the mini Vidhana Soudha on Saturday, opposing televangelist Benny Hinn’s programme scheduled to be held in Bangalore from January 15.

Pranavananda Swami had launched a hunger strike in the morning.

In the evening, he suddenly pulled a kerosene can hid behind him and started pouring kerosene on his body. He also drank a small quantity of it. Policemen who were present on the spot acted swiftly and took him into custody. Later, he was shifted him to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences hospital.

The sub-urban station police have registered an attempt-to-suicide case against the Swami. They took around 20 persons, who took part in the protest along with him, into custody.

Threatening
Later, the Swami stated that he had written a letter to the government a week ago, saying that he would commit suicide if permission was given for Benny Hinn’s programme.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is following a anti-Hindu policy and Home Minister K G George is behaving like an agent of Christians. They permitted Benny Hinns’ programme. Therefore, I tried to commit suicide,” he said.

“The Swami had kept a can with him, saying that it contained drinking water. In the evening, he pretended to be committing suicide. Suitable action would be taken after conducting investigation,” said Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner Ravindra Prasad.