Bangalore Press Club: Update from News-Papers

Sex, ‘dhokha’ behind Mumbai machinations: Iskcon Bangalore

Madhu Pandit Dasa, the head of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), Bangalore, on Monday termed the supervisory committee constituted by the Iskcon, Mumbai as illegal and alleged that the entire exercise was a personal vendetta that followed the exposure of irregularities and sex scandals involving some top gurus of the sect.

“The constitution of the supervisory committee is unconstitutional. The so-called resolution of Mumbai Iskcon is invalid, apart from other infirmities of non-compliance with rules and regulations. I, being a member of the governing council body, am entitled for a copy of the proposal. But they have not served me a copy,” he said.

He alleged that Iskcon, Mumbai was trying to make a backdoor entry into Iskcon, Bangalore. He also questioned the credibility, integrity, honesty and dedication of Iskcon, Mumbai leaders.
Chanchalapathi Dasa, the vice-president of Iskcon, Bangalore, said the Iskcon, Mumbai had targeted Madhu Pandit Dasa as he had always been opposing the corrupt practices and involvement of Iskcon gurus in sex scandals.

Chanchalpati said that Dayaram Das, the head of Iskcon, Kolkata and chairman of the supervisory committee assigned to probe the alleged irregularities in Iskcon, Bangalore, was a big real estate businessman with a multi-crore construction business in Kolkata.

“In 2001, Adidharan Dasa, the then president of Iskcon, Kolkata, had raised his voice against sex scandals and corrupt gurus. Dayaram arranged hundreds of hooligans who masqueraded as devotees, stormed the Kolkata temple and physically ousted Adidharan Dasa. As a reward, Dayarama was made the president of Iskcon, Kolkata," he said.

“The core of the dispute between Iskcon, Bangalore and Iskcon, Mumbai is the flawed Iskcon guru system. In 2001, Adidharan Dasa, the then president of Iskcon, Kolkata, who was the temple president for over 20 years had opposed the corrupt guru system of Iskcon, just as Madhu Pandit Dasa and devotees of Iskcon, Bangalore are doing now,” said Chanchalapathi.

Iskcon, Bangalore was formed and the temple inaugurated in 1997 under the leadership of Madhu Pandit Dasa.

We won't allow panel: Madhu Pandit Dasa

BANGALORE: President of Iskcon Bangalore Madhupandit Das on Monday said they will not allow the supervisory committee from Mumbai Iskcon to enter the temple premises in Bangalore.
Iskcon Mumbai on Sunday said that a supervisory committee would inspect Iskcon Bangalore and a report would be submitted to the governing body.
Das alleged: "The plan behind sending a supervisory committee to Bangalore Iskcon is to tamper with our documents and frame cases against us.''
He told reporters: "Everything should be done only through process of law. If they want to take over or inspect the temple, they should come with the required court orders. The high court has clearly said they should not disturb the activities of the temple. Besides, the committee has to be an official committee, not persons from Iskcon Mumbai. We have full powers to go before the Supreme Court.''

POLICE YET TO DECIDE

Police bandobust has been ramped up at the Hare Krishna hills temple on West of Chord Road. Police said they had received requests from both parties. "We have to closely examine the legality of the case. We are looking into the court order. Based on it, we will decide who should get police protection," said T Suneel Kumar, additional commissioner of police, law and order. 

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