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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Copy of the High Court Order

Karnataka High Court websites copy of Judgement

Judgment

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ISKCON Mumbai petitions Home Minister

Following the High Court verdict in favour of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Mumbai, Varadakrishna Das, president of the Mumbai ISKCON in Bangalore, filed a petition with Home Minister R. Ashok apprehending funnelling off of jewellery and other valuables from the temple here.

The Karnataka High Court, on Monday, ruled that ISKCON, Bangalore, had falsely claimed properties of ISKCON, Mumbai, and that the former is not an independent autonomous body.

Stay sought

Speaking toThe Hindu, Mr. Varadakrishna Das said that the Bangalore branch has sought a stay on the High Court order. “We fear that Madhu Pandit Das, president of ISKCON, Bangalore, his family members and associates may try to siphon off jewels and other precious items worth crores from the temple,” he said.

Over the past 12 years, devotees from across the world have donated crores of rupees by way of gifts to the temple, Mr. Varadakrishna Das said his petition on Monday evening and urged the Home Minister to provide protection at the temple. “This is a sensitive matter. We have urged him to ensure that nothing is removed from the temple compound,” he said.

He said that Mr. Ashok had directed the jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police for a 24-hour vigil at the temple and make an inventory of all the jewellery and valuables at the temple.

‘Appoint administrator'

MLA D.K. Shivakumar

Kanakapura MLA D.K. Shivakumar welcomed the court verdict and urged the Government to take over the temple and appoint a senior IAS officer as its administrator.

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High Court restrains ISKCON Mumbai

The divisional bench of the High court of Karnataka today restrained ISKCON Mumbai from dislodging or dismissing Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa and other office bearers of ISKCON Bangalore for 6 weeks. The High Court further observed that there are various yeoman services being rendered from the institution to the society and abrupt changes in the management, employees, missionaries and other members would disrupt the same leading to far reaching consequences.
The High Court also observed that other activities, organizations or trusts which are functioning from the Hare Krishna Hill premises are not part of this suit and hence their activities should go on unhindered.
The divisional bench of the High Court was giving their decision on the stay petition filed by ISKCON Bangalore. It may be recalled that the High court had set aside the verdict given by the Trail Court of Bangalore which had given absolute ownership of Sri Radha Krishna-chandra temple on Hare Krishna Hill to ISKCON Bangalore Society registered in 1978.
The counsel for ISKCON Bangalore said that the stay petition is not about the verdict and hence should be considered on the following grounds:
1. ISKCON Bangalore has been in de-facto possession of the Hare Krishna Hill premises for the last several decades and various court orders were in its support.
2. The practicality of any transfer of management will not be possible on an immediate basis.
3. ISKCON Bangalore has already given an undertaking in the Supreme Court that it will not alienate or part with the assets, and are willing to submit to any process of reporting to the court.
After hearing the objections of ISKCON Mumbai to this stay petition, the High Court bench consisting of Justice Nagamohan Das and Justice Arali Nagaraj gave their judgment that a stay was not maintainable as the members of ISKCON Bangalore are managing a branch of ISKCON Mumbai. Hence, a restraining order was given as above in order to facilitate the smooth functioning of the various activities of ISKCON Bangalore and to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.
“ISKCON Bangalore will file an appeal in the Supreme Court shortly after obtaining and studying the order copy. We have full faith in the judiciary of our country and are confident that we will be able to present the case in our favor,” said Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore.

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