Who is responsible for all infamy that is being brought to the name of ISKCON Bangalore and the ISKCON Society at large? A movement once revered for the purity and saintliness of its followers, a movement that moved the philosophers, theologists and spiritualists by its philosophical brilliance, a movement that shook governments by its global conquest with the strength of holy name... this movement called ISKCON, was brought to shambles and disgrace when its own carriers back stabbed their spiritual master HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada by usurping his position and exploiting the men and property of the mission.
Like a phoenix, ISKCON rose up again from its own ashes on the Hare Krishna Hill and shone like a brilliant sun spreading the message of Lord Krishna and reestablishing the glory of the name ‘ISKCON’. However, this sun is again being tried to be eclipsed by some unscrupulous, property-greedy men in the garb of devotees, whose bellies are not filled despite gulping the worldwide empire that Srila Prabhupada gave them to preserve and carry forward. By their mischievous deeds, the glorious name of Iskcon has become a domestic laughing stock. One of the leading regional dailies has depicted this fight (newspaper cutting above) by showing the leaders of both the parties engaged in physical duel and watchers commenting sarcastically, “who took the Iskcon and who gave the Iskcon” which also sounds in the local language as “who took the beating and who gave the beating.” Such humiliation is devouring both the camps, Mumbai as well as Bangalore. By their cheap media stunts, not only Iskcon Bangalore is being defamed but also facing its brunt.
The envy of the self-appointed gurus is the real cause for this fighting sprawling over the streets. They are the ones who opened this internal matter before the world. Disobeying Srila Prabhupada’s instruction namely “Do not throw dirty linen in public.” The disciples of Jaya Pataka Swami falsely accused Madhu Pandit Dasa of being a fraud and sent a cooked up story to the donors of Iskcon Bangalore whose contact info they had stolen from the temple. To counter this false propaganda, Iskcon Bangalore had to clarify to all the donors about the real situation and expose the shameful truth about these bogus gurus. The misguided donors who are also well-wishers of Iskcon Bangalore temple and of the Iskcon Society as well had to be told about the fall down of these gurus and the unmentionable activities they had done. The major share of reputation that ‘Iskcon’ name enjoys in India comes due to the hard work of Iskcon Bangalore. Whatever glory Iskcon has in this country is just a reflection of real glory that Iskcon Bangalore has earned by keeping Srila Prabhupada in the center and trying its best to sincerely follow him. By throwing mud at Iskcon Bangalore, all reflections will become muddy. A practical example is this newspaper clipping attached to this article. Today Iskcon is suffering a national disgrace… who is answerable for this???
The self-appointed gurus have been eyeing on ISKCON Bangalore for grabbing the ‘juicy property’ and swallowing it. Nevertheless, by the divine arrangement it is not coming into their hands. Frustrated by repeated smacking on their hands by the law of the nation, they have resorted to cheap, immoral and abominable means of misusing media to defame Madhu Pandit Dasa and his associates. They are not interested in coming to a peaceful, gentlemanly truce by agreeing to accept Srila Prabhupada as the only Diksha Guru of ISKCON, in return for which they can take over the temple on the Hare Krishna Hill. Had they been only property greedy then they would have agreed to this and happily accepted the property on HK Hill. But Alas! They are doubly vicious: they are not only property-greedy but also envious of Srila Prabhupada’s rightful position of being Diksha Guru in ISKCON. This is core point of the entire battle. They wish to destroy the very existence of Srila Prabhupada and establish their own kingdom, which is morally, religiously and spiritually incorrect and unacceptable. Due to opposition from Madhu Pandit Dasa, they desperately want to throw him off from his position. Being unable to do so legally or illegally, their frustration is increasing day by day. Understanding very well that they cannot cause any harm to the office bearers on HK Hill, they have taken the stance of harming their reputation. Thus, they are unhesitant in degrading down to any extent… not even mindful of what attire they adore. They are so much blinded by their greed that they have no cognition of the disrepute coming to ISKCON’s name. It is the same name that they are also bearing for their organization. It is very well said that when you throw mud at the other then your hands also get dirty, thus, at the end both the men are dirty.
Until spring season comes, one cannot distinguish between a crow and a cuckoo… similarly even though externally dressed as a sadhu, the moment media comes into picture… the truth of Varada Krishna Dasa and Doyaram Dasa comes out. The suppressed frustration of not being able to execute their sinister plans against Madhu Pandit Dasa, bursts in the form of false allegations, foul language, indecency, sarcasm, self-glorification, etc. before the media. They have used media to propagate false news, and create confusion among the masses. They have used media to disturb the devotees and the public at large. They have used media to propagate their feigned innocence while visiting the ISKCON temple on the HK Hill. They have exploited media to somehow show Madhu Pandit Dasa down in the public eye. In spite of there being a legal way to get their things done, why do they resort to criminal activities by misinforming media and corrupting the minds of the general masses against the sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada? Where is the character that is depicted through their attire? Where is the courage to fight and have they ever answered a single question straightforward in any of the television interviews? These are all evidences of their incompetence and hardcore envy towards Madhu Pandit Dasa and his associates.
It further reminds me of a context in Bhagavad-Gita where Sanjaya says to Dhritarashtra, “acharyam upasangamya raja vacanam abravit” meaning “’King Duryodhana’ went to his teacher and began to speak the following words.” Srila Prabhupada explains that the word ‘raja’ or king is significant while addressing Duryodhana as it denotes a solace (even though false) given by Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra so that the latter at least thinks of his son Duryodhana as a king. Even though Dhritarashtra knew within the heart that due to Krishna’s presence there was no chance of victory for his sons. A similar solacing is happening in the Mumbai camp also where some of them call themselves President, Vice-president, and not to forget ‘the Guru’ of ISKCON Bangalore. Even though they are playing only with the papers, their fantasies seem to be boundless. In spite of innumerable attempts, they are still there on the streets with their nasty media gimmicks whereas Madhu Pandit Dasa and team are on the HK Hill, trying their best to serve Their Lordships sincerely. At least now, they should realize that ISKCON Bangalore belongs only to Srila Prabhupada and the only way to approach it is by taking its shelter and not by forming a supervisory committee.
