man using only his mystical powers

A sceptic challenged an Indian tantric to kill him live on television, after the guru proclaimed that he could kill another man using only his mystical powers. Sanal Edamaruku, self-appointed sceptic-in-chief of Indian Rationalists' Association, told Pandit Surender Sharma to kill him.

Both men were invited to a talk show for the challenge. The episode was banned from being screened on television, but can be viewed on Youtube.

Sharma was reluctant to start with, but he finally obliged to perform his rituals.

He brandished a knife, ruffled the sceptic's hair and pressed his temples.

However, even hours later, Edamaruku was alive and smiling.

"He was over, finished, completely destroyed!" The Times quoted him as saying.

He added: "The immediate goal I have is to stop these fraudulent babas and gurus. I want people to make their own decisions. They should not be guided by ignorance, but by knowledge.

"I'd like to see a post-religious society - that would be an ideal dream, but I don't know how long it would take."

Edamaruku is also part-time journalist and publisher from Kerala. The Indian Rationalist Association was founded officially Chennai in 1949.