Pastor Ankur Narula on Friday reacted to a video that has gone viral on social media. Pastor Ankur Narula has been accused of giving a controversial statement saying that the accused arrested in rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Jalandhar West can be forgiven if he embraces Jesus Christ and Christianity.
For those who are unware, Pastor Ankur Narula runs a ministry church under Pentecostal churches under the name 'Church of Signs and Wonders' at Khambra village on Jalandhar-Nakodar road.
After a Christmas event in Jalandhar, Ankur Narula interacted with the media and explained his comment on the accused Harminder Singh aka Rimpy who is currently in jail under POCSO and murder charges.
Pastor Narula was asked about his viral video in which he was heard saying that Harminder Singh Rimpy can be forgiven if he embraces Jesus Christ and Christianity.
On this, Ankur Narula said, "My work is to convey the message of forgiveness. For example, when a person is sick, they go to a hospital. Only those who are suffering go to a hospital. In the same way, the Church is a spiritual hospital. The Bible says that Jesus Christ himself said he is needed most by sinners, by people who have gone wrong."
"People do not always commit wrong intentionally with happiness. If you study their lives closely, you will find there are evil influences behind them, there are mental and spiritual struggles behind them. According to the Bible, Jesus came to save such people."
Pastor Narula further said, "I myself was once a sinner. I used to do wrong things, I was addicted, and perhaps I would have turned into a criminal if life had continued that way. But I also clearly said that this does not mean a wrongdoer will escape punishment. He may still face legal punishment, he may even be sentenced to death. But spiritually, forgiveness is possible. His sins can be forgiven."
"He may go to hell in worldly judgment, but Jesus Christ has said that if a sinner truly seeks forgiveness, then after death he may become worthy of heaven, worthy to stand before God. What is wrong in this?” added Pastor Narula.
A 13-year-old girl was murdered in Jalandhar West on November 22. A man named Harminder Singh aka Rimpy who runs a school van was arrested under POCSO and murder charges. The heinous crime sparked protests in Jalandhar.
People, youths and women came onto the roads to demand death penalty for Rimpy. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also reacted to the incident and assured the family that the trial of the case will run in fast track court and deceased victim's family will get speedy justice.
Accused Rimpy is currently in judicial custody.