Though election authorities had warned Umashankar to stop faith-healing activities at his residence, the IAS officer paid no heed, following which the Election Commission decided to remove him as a poll observer in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal: The Election Commission on Sunday removed a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Tamil Nadu cadre C Umashankar as a poll observer in the ongoing Lok Sabha election in Sidhi constituency of Madhya Pradesh after they received complaints that he had been indulging in Christian “faith-healing” activities. After the devastating Uttarakhand floods of 2013, he had reportedly claimed it was because of the Biblical gods' anger over Hindu dieties.
According to reports, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Bhopal, said that Umashankar continued with faith-healing activities at his official residence despite warnings from election authorities.
“A report was sent to the Election Commission of India (ECI) following a complaint against him, after which the ECI has removed him as a general poll observer,” Madhya Pradesh CEO VL Kantha Rao said.
The IAS officer recently visited the Sidhi district hospital to be treated for a headache but started blessing other patients instead.
C Umashankar was born as a Hindu Dalit and later converted to Christianity in 2008. He then grabbed headlines for his controversial views about natural calamities, often calling it God's wrath on people. He was also accused of criticising Hinduism while propagating Christianity.
Though Umashankar’s belief in Jesus Christ was his personal choice, several voices were raised asking if a serving IAS officer is allowed to preach.
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