A ‘magic’ banana, jinn and miracle: How residents shut down a fake healing centre in Kerala
A banana, a man dressed up as a ‘jinn’, some bottles of honey and water, and a crowd willing to pay for a miracle. That was the curious recipe at a purported healing centre at Tirunavaya, in Kerala’s Malappuram, until videos from the programme began circulating on social media and residents decided they had seen enough. On September 9, a group of people from the locality barged into the centre and forcefully closed it down. The centre, called ‘Jinn Mahar’, was functioning at Tirunavaya’s Kodakkal for about four months. It was allegedly offering solutions to people’s problems by invoking a jinn–a supernatural entity from Arabian mythology–with visitors told that the supernatural intervention could cure illnesses and remove the ill effects of jinn-related troubles.The programme had all the elements of a carefully staged performance.Videos circulating on social media show a stage where a man with his head covered in a green cloth sits and speaks in Tamil and Hindi, claiming to be the ‘Jinn’. He is introduced as someone who claimed to be the successor of one Muhammed Kasim and said he had come from Cairo to Kayalpattinam.In the videos, the man in the green cloth says he has handed over all powers to Jamaludheen, who appears to be the main person conducting the proceedings. He tells the crowd that Jamaludheen can handle their problems.Jalaludheen introduces himself as CM Ustad. As per the local people, he arrived at the place four years ago and started an acupuncture treatment place. People then queue up to meet the ‘jinn’. After whispering their problems to the man in the green cloth, they return to the crowd. Jamaludheen, speaking through a microphone, assures them that their problems will be taken care of and that they can leave peacefully.The show also features bottles of honey and water, along with bananas, which were presented as having special powers and were allegedly offered to people on the claim that consuming them would solve their problems.But it was a banana that appears to have caused the biggest stir.‘How much will you pay?’In one video, Jamaludheen holds up a banana and tells the crowd that it contains a ‘magic’ that they will see only after it is opened. “Who wants this banana? How much will you pay? After I open this and when you see the magic, you can't ask for it after that,” he says.When someone offers Rs 1,000, Jamaludheen raises the price to Rs 2,500. Someone eventually buys the banana for that amount.The big reveal comes when the banana is peeled. The fruit inside has already been cut into two pieces, even though its peel appears to have remained intact.That, apparently, was the magic.The video quickly spread online, with many viewers pointing out that the trick can be performed by inserting a needle through the peel and cutting the fruit inside without removing the skin.The videos also show people lining up to meet the supposed jinn and seeking solutions to their problems, while Jamaludheen plays the role of the intermediary, announcing through a microphone that everything will be taken care of.Residents interveneAccording to information available about the centre, it was run under the leadership of Alappuzha native Jamaludheen. Three people were reportedly involved in the operation, including the person appearing as the jinn.The centre initially operated only once a week, but the crowds reportedly grew with each passing week.It was after the videos exposing the proceedings began circulating on social media that local residents intervened. They gathered at the centre and shut it down. Residents have also submitted complaints to the Tirunavaya police and the Malappuram district police chief regarding the alleged activities of the centre.Police officials told TNM that they are still collecting details and that a case is yet to be registered.
A BANANA, a man dressed up as a ‘jinn’, some bottles of honey and water, and a crowd willing to pay for a miracle.
That was the curious recipe at a purported healing centre at Tirunavaya, in Malappuram, until videos from the programme began circulating on social media and residents decided they had seen enough.
On September 9, a group of people from the locality barged into the centre and forcefully closed it down.
The centre, called ‘Jinn Mahar’, was functioning at Tirunavaya’s Kodakkal for about four months. It was allegedly offering solutions to people’s problems by invoking a jinn–a supernatural entity from Arabian mythology–with visitors told that the supernatural intervention could cure illnesses and remove the ill effects of jinn-related troubles.
The programme had all the elements of a carefully staged performance.
Videos circulating on social media show a stage where a man with his head covered in a green cloth sits and speaks in Tamil and Hindi, claiming to be the ‘Jinn’. He is introduced as someone who claimed to be the successor of one Muhammed Kasim and said he had come from Cairo to Kayalpattinam.
In the videos, the man in the green cloth says he has handed over all powers to Jamaludheen, who appears to be the main person conducting the proceedings. He tells the crowd that Jamaludheen can handle their problems.
Jalaludheen introduces himself as CM Ustad. As per the local people, he arrived at the place four years ago and started an acupuncture treatment place.
People then queue up to meet the ‘jinn’. After whispering their problems to the man in the green cloth, they return to the crowd. Jamaludheen, speaking through a microphone, assures them that their problems will be taken care of and that they can leave peacefully.
The show also features bottles of honey and water, along with bananas, which were presented as having special powers and were allegedly offered to people on the claim that consuming them would solve their problems.
But it was a banana that appears to have caused the biggest stir.
‘How much will you pay?’
In one video, Jamaludheen holds up a banana and tells the crowd that it contains a ‘magic’ that they will see only after it is opened. “Who wants this banana? How much will you pay? After I open this and when you see the magic, you can't ask for it after that,” he says.
When someone offers Rs 1,000, Jamaludheen raises the price to Rs 2,500. Someone eventually buys the banana for that amount.
The big reveal comes when the banana is peeled. The fruit inside has already been cut into two pieces, even though its peel appears to have remained intact.
That, apparently, was the magic.
The video quickly spread online, with many viewers pointing out that the trick can be performed by inserting a needle through the peel and cutting the fruit inside without removing the skin.
The videos also show people lining up to meet the supposed jinn and seeking solutions to their problems, while Jamaludheen plays the role of the intermediary, announcing through a microphone that everything will be taken care of.
Residents intervene
According to information available about the centre, it was run under the leadership of Alappuzha native Jamaludheen. Three people were reportedly involved in the operation, including the person appearing as the jinn.
The centre initially operated only once a week, but the crowds reportedly grew with each passing week.
It was after the videos exposing the proceedings began circulating on social media that residents intervened. They gathered at the centre and shut it down. Residents have also submitted complaints to the Tirunavaya police and the Malappuram district police chief regarding the alleged activities of the centre.
Police officials told TNM that they are still collecting details and that a case is yet to be registered.
