Visiting guru held on sex charges

By Anika Gumbs-Sandiford, guardian.co.tt
Monday 21st May, 2007

HinduA Guru who arrived in Trinidad last week to give religious discourses (sat sangh) throughout the country on Hinduism has been detained in connection with the alleged rape of 22-year-old Guayanese woman.

The 85-year-old man, who is unable to speak English fluently, is on a one-month visit to T&T.

He was arrested by police at a house in Palmiste late Friday night.

According to a police report, at around 11.30 pm on Friday, the woman went to the home of the man to reportedly get spiritual healing.

The man, the report stated, told the woman to take off her clothes.

He then sprayed a liquid on the woman’s entire body then sprayed himself with the same liquid.

The woman claimed that the man then began to fondle her and ordered her not to move.

The woman told police she was then made to perform oral sex on the man after which the man had sexual intercourse with her for approximately one hour.

She was then instructed to leave the house.

Yesterday, devotees were seen carrying a mattress and a pillow to the San Fernando CID where the guru is being detained.
Full Article : guardian.co.tt

NEWS UPDATE: May 22, 2007

Accused swami made to surrender passport
CLUTCHING a cane, an 85-year-old swami dressed in a saffron coloured kurta hobbled up the staircase of the prisoners’ dock in San Fernando Magistrates’ Court yesterday, to answer two counts of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old Guyanese woman…

Lawyer slams ‘mischief’
Elderly swami charged with rape

A Hindu holy-man too feeble to walk without help was carried into court yesterday, charged with two sex crimes-which his defenders said he had neither the time nor the energy to commit.

Swami rape charge big news in India
Trinidad and Tobago made the headlines in India yesterday, after newspapers and news websites there carried news of the arrest of famous Hindu Swami Ram Tripathi’s here on charges of sexual assault.

NEWS UPDATE: May 25, 2007

‘Eternal saint’ awaits day in court
Swami on rape charge has worldwide following
The Hindu holy man charged with rape and molestation in Trinidad heads a worldwide spiritual organisation with devotees who believe him to be an eternal saint.

Ram Kripalu Maharaj, 85, is considered by followers to be the first jagadguru (world teacher or master of masters) to be anointed in the last 700 years.

He is said to be only the fifth jagadguru in 5,000 years.

UPDATE: May 30 2007

Ailing pundit on rape charge

Wednesday, May 30 2007

CITING religious commitments in other countries and health reasons, an 85-year-old Hindu pundit from India, yesterday pleaded through his attorneys, for the start of the inquiry at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court into a charge of rape levelled against the pundit.

The elderly pundit, dressed in a white kurta (Hindu garment) with a saffron smeared on his forehead, reappeared before deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington to face the charge which alleges he raped a 22-year-old Guyanese woman on May 18 in South Trinidad.

The accused pundit’s attorney Prakash Ramadhar described the charge as a fabrication and said the pundit is revered by followers in India and other countries and was elevated to the highest level of Hindu spiritual attainment — Jagadguru.

The pundit, who cannot speak English, was accompanied to court by translator Dinesh Maraj, 19. Attorneys Prakash Ramadhar, Chaitram Sinanan and Jagdeo Singh, represented the pundit. Told the prosecution was not ready to proceed, Ramadhar told Wellington: “We’re eagerly awaiting to deal with these serious allegations which we believe to be a gross fabrication to spoil the reputation of a pundit with an unblemished character. We hope to give justice to this man and we will devote all the resources available to us to do so.”

The attorney pointed out that the pundit had already made reservations and bookings to attend several religious functions abroad. During the hearing yesterday, the pundit stood staring silently at the magistrate. Ramadhar told the court that the pundit suffers with a series of ailments including diabetes. Court Prosecutor Sgt Ali informed the court that the complainant — Corporal Dublin — was on study leave. The case was subsequently adjourned.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/court/0,57983.html

UPDATE: May 31, 2007

Senior Counsel: Rape accused can be named
By Anika Gumbs-Sandiford
Senior counsel Dana Seetahal says that T&T’s current laws allow the publication of the names and photographs of persons charged with sexual offences.
She was speaking in an interview with the Guardian yesterday about the controversy surrounding the publication of the name of an Indian swami charged with rape.
“The law is clear,” said Seetahal, who is also an Independent Senator, referring to the fact that the Sexual Offences Act was amended in 2000.

UPDATE: June 01, 2007

Media can name rape accused
An attorney defending swami Jagadguru Ram Tripathi on sex charges apologised yesterday for a misguided legal submission made by another lawyer who sought to have the Express cited for contempt of court.

UPDATE: June 09, 2007

Accused holy man gets back passport
THE Hindu holy man charged with rape and molestation received permission to continue his spiritual tour of the world yesterday, after his lawyers begged on behalf of millions of his devotees.

UPDATE: July 16, 2007

State Drops Rape Case Against Swami

TrinidadAndTobagoNews.com Reporters
July 16, 2007

Swami Ram Kripalu MaharajThe state dropped its case against Swami Jagadguru Ram Tripathi Maharaj who had been charged on May 18th with performing a grievous sexual assault on a 22 year old woman.

The Swami walked out of the San Fernando Magistrates Court a free man after the decision was made by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, to offer no evidence in the matter. Mr. Gaspard claimed that the evidence dealing with the alleged rape victim’s lack of consent was tenuous and as such, the state would not be able to make a prima facie case against the accused.

The matter, which was heard in the first court before Deputy Chief Magistrate, Mark Wellington this morning, was then dismissed.

The Swami, who is said to have a large following of Ashrams in several countries including Europe, North America and India, came to Trinidad for a one month trip as part of a devotional tour. He was arrested on May 20th after a 22 year old Guyanese woman claimed that she was assaulted by the Swami in the prayer room of a house where the Swami stayed in Branch Road, Palmiste, San Fernando.

The Swami was granted 50,000 dollars bail on the condition that he surrendered his passport. On June 9th his attorneys successfully argued for the return of his passport so that he could continue his world tour.

Lead defense attorney, Prakash Ramadhar, applauded the move by Mr. Gaspard stating that he continues to be an exemplar in the office of the DPP. However, he condemned the police investigators who charged the Swami.

Addressing his supporters today at Branch Road, Palmiste, Swami Maharaj told his followers that he had forgiven the woman who had accused him of rape. He said the truth had prevailed and the charges were a test of their faith. Swami Maharaj is due to leave Trinidad tomorrow.

http://www.trinicenter.com/tnt/2007/160707.html

78 thoughts on “Visiting guru held on sex charges”

  1. It’s been such a long time since I have felt compelled to say thank you to someone for believing. You are an inspiration to victms and survivors alike. I am a Guyanese American who have been sujected to rape and molestation by 16 men from the age of 7. It was only recently when I was attacked that I had courage to speak up and it was simply because as litle girls were are told that our jobs are to please men. Where are people getting their facts about this girl’s reputation? Do you all speak to her to know what type of person she is? Don’t believe everything you read? The truth is he was arrested and spent time in jail which means there was enough evidence for him to be charged. And frankly I find this young woman to have the courage to speak up knowing that people would attack her reputation. Why would someone make accusations that could potentially put their life in danger. No one wants their character to be challenged. Stop reading between the line and for once thank this girl from making other helpless people to fall into the trap of trusting people like this old fool.

  2. The woman will repent for making such allegations. Dunno how much she was paid for defaming the Guruji.

    Jai jai shri Radhey!!!

  3. To the person who said that I am wrong to believe that people are generally uneducated – your ability to reason and comprehend would be further proof of that, had I actually said that.

    Please note, I never said one party nor the other was guilty. My problem is the level of devotion to a man, just like any one of us, to such an extent as to ignore reason.

    e.g. Radhey – “Dunno how much she was paid for defaming the Guruji.” Shouldn’t a more balanced statement say “Dunno IF she was paid for defaming the Guruji?”

    You people remind me of the times when priests would “examine” the bodies of young women for “marks” of witchcraft. When the woman fought back or threatened to expose the priest, the priest just had to say she was a witch and the mob (like the dumb sheep there were) would turn violent and ignore reason and torch the woman at the stake or throw her off a cliff. The only difference here is there are laws to prevent you form doing such things now.

  4. Thanks, Guyanese American woman for the testimonial. If women do not believe in women, support women in their crises, and stand up for women, who will do it? Those women who walk blindly in the shadow of men, instead of proudly at their sides, are to be pitied; and gently encouraged to move forward. This has been my life’s work through education. Often, people I know from the Asian subcontinent-Pakistan through Vietnam and Cambodia, still walk in America, behind their men. One’s husband finally allowed her to drive to work, but she had to promise to stay on the feeder road instad of the highway. When I heard of it, I encouraged her to go on the freeway, but stay in the second lane, the one next to the exit. After she did it for two weeks, I encouraged her to tell her husband. He was annoyed of course, but she had proved she could do it. This woman has a masters’ degree from a prestigious Indian university. One woman still rides in the back seat of her husband’s car, along with the smaller children, while his 75lb son(estimated weight) rides in the front seat with his dad.I am waiting for the police to pick him up with that small child riding in the front seat. One that I frequently meet in the grocery, allows his bent over old wife to push the heavy cart, while he walks, like a rajah inspecting his troops, one hand behind his back, at her side. It must be that having paid for the groceries, his job is done. For this he moved to the west! In the contexts of the above, women have been trained to accept domination by men. Men from those cultures, seeing the same features in western women, like women in Guyana, TnT and both Britain and North America, may mistakenly believe that they are back in the lands of male domination, with women of their own kind who have cute western accents, and are freer.(More accessible, living outside the veil) Was not a senior manager of a state enterprise, imported from India, charged by his subordinates(more than one!) in TnT with sexual molestation? Was not a woman in a small Indian town persecuted because she protested being raped by the town fathers to be taught a lesson? (Covered in the New York Times)I forgot in what town, and when a female police officer became active in prosecution of the case, she was transferred?

    These are the contexts in which women who are sexually assualted by men of power and priviledge, are expected to stay respectgfully silent.

    Thank God, some Trinis look Indian, but know western law, which pro-
    tects all women on Trinidad and Tobago’s soil. Woman,I salute your courage in joining the ranks of those who were there and are willing to speak out to help others.

    The sad thing is, if you were still in the Caribbean area, Guyana included, all your neighbours would have been pointing fingers at you.

    In the matter of the treatment of women, to quote one Guyanese woman I know, we are social pygmies.

  5. This Man is a great Saint and He will definitely get out of this SCAM and emerge stronger than before.

    Saint my foot. My early skepticism had to do with his age rather than the fact that he is a peddlar of religious psychotropic substances. I believe in and am tolerant of the need for people to have a spiritual foundation. However, I have absolutely no regard for anyone carrying a doctrine of humility and immateriality who is inundated with the trappings of wealth. And I do not give a shit whether he is a Imam, a Guru, a Swami, a Preacher, a Reverend or a Pastor. These people are guilty of larceny from dimwits.

    Someone said he was sent to Trinidad to help us all. Help who? Not me! If I see him anywhere around any female members of my family it’ll be curtains for him. In addition, is’nt his beliefs based on some myth that black people came from the feet of the creator while others came from his heart? I do not believe that I am under any moral imperative to look favourably on anyone wedded to these kinds of belief. So excuse me while I fart.

  6. well, all Details have not been provided here. How many of u guys know, that the girl was found vergin after medical investigation. U can get the details if u search properly on google. But fact is that no one is intersted in exposing this fact that the girl was found guilty. Now i think u guys will have to think once more for saying anything.

  7. In case you all are brain dead please do some research into the Catholic Church about the rape and molestation of believers. Would you also then tell those victims that the made this story up? Shame on all of the negative things that is being said about this girl. Look at yourselves in the mirror before judging others.

  8. Has any one met number 2, number3 … in heirarchy of this group(sect). Anybody who can throw light on their character will give better impression of ideology of the group this swami heads.

  9. Maddy:

    well, all Details have not been provided here. How many of u guys know, that the girl was found vergin after medical investigation. U can get the details if u search properly on google. But fact is that no one is intersted in exposing this fact that the girl was found guilty. Now i think u guys will have to think once more for saying anything.

    What was she found guilty of? Do you expect these snippets of inchoate factoids to ease pressure on the Swami. He appears to be a dirty old man. A bleeding pervert using people’s religious faith to get his 80 year old rocks off.

  10. To people in the world still believing in truth and justice….we need more people like you. If you believe this swami is innocent and that makes you feel good about yourselves I feel sorry if anyone in your family was to ever be victimized. My hope is that you never have to experience pain and misery like this…

  11. This woman is a vitim of rape, not a murderer. please respect her as a human being. I am sure there are more vitims like her who are ashame to come out and say happen to them in those fews days. please be brave and tell the truth.

  12. Urgent message to all women leaders in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean: Especially to Mrs. Manning- Minister of Education and all women Ministers of Government, the Leader of the Opposition(Mrs. Bissessar), All women doctors and lawyers , University professors, and other movers and shakers in the community, and all female teachers:

    The vitriol hurled at this woman for reporting what she believes was a case of rape is testimony of what would happen to YOU if you were in a similar situation. Now she did not go “looking for trouble” as the girl in the nightclub case apparently did. She was not doing dirty dancing on stage, but went to what she believed was a spiritual advisor, looking for leadership. He apparently tried to lead her down the path to destruction.

    Many of the comments that support the Guru-swami-saint try to impugn the character of this young woman, one even stating that it was reported on Google that she was still a virgin- so we get confidential medical reports on sensitive criminal cases on GOOGLE?

    The treatment of that woman by some commentators on this blog, suggest that there is the Urgent need to educate women about their rights as humans, and to educate our public about the rights of women. We were one of the first countries to pass a law making it a crime for a husband to rape his wife. I well remember the ridicule some members of parliament used to try to defeat the bill. It seems that the law being on the books is no guarantee that women have elevated their sense of self-worth to the point where they will instinctively be supportive of this young women, instead of being supportive of the guru.

    AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. WHO WILL PICK UP THE BATON AND RUN WITH IT? I CAN USE MY WRITING SKILLS TO POWERFUL EFFECT, BUT THE WORD NEEDS TO GET OUT TO THE UNLETTERED TOO.
    That young woman was probably born in the year the video- “Shattered Lives” was released. Nothing has changed much. HELP!

    Those with access to persons cited at the beginning of this comment, please contact them to see what could collectively be done.

    There comes a time when we all need to rally for the value placed on us as women. That is a point beyond the car, the house and all the things in it, that is a point before all the things also. And to all other young women, victims or future victims, even though your character may be called into question, even though your name may be dragged in the mud, if you believe you were taken advantage of, sexualy, speak out. It would help others.

    Tewnty-three years ago, I wrote a piece in the Express called Rape Is No Laughing Matter- when there were calypsoes in tents making fun of rape. That this it is still an area where women are ridiculed pains me. Thank God, in that time, more policewomen have joined the Force, more magistrates see it as a serious issue, and policemen generally, are more sensitive to the crisis. We cannot, however, rest there. There is much, much more to be done. We cannot afford to get tired of the struggle. This is not about class, it’s about Gender.

    A voice for the voiceless is the essence of spiritual commitment, Christian, Hindu, Jew or Muslim.

  13. let the women do what they do best. honor their husbands and take care of the Family.

    This problem and others would be immediately resolved.

    I challenge you!

  14. Rape is a punishable crime.One who commts it is ought to be punished, and so should one who falsely implicates an innoscent. Kripaluji Maharaj is 85 year old,frail and sick. If at all this 22 year old might attempted, not the other way round.

  15. I request every one of us not believe any stories against Maharaj ji. I know him for a long time and people who met him and know him personally can tell his divinity. As a person I have changed a lot positively after meeting Maharaj ji and following his principles. He is a true SAINT. An absolute divine personality. Some group is against him and trying to defame him. Please read his Philosophy at JKP.org and listen to his lectures that come every day on TV Asia and Astha.
    If we blame such a personality, it is not good for us; we are committing a great crime. Please don’t put yourself in such a danger. Don’t believe to any such stories, if you trust god ask him for the truth, trust me, you will get an answer if you are sincere.

    Maharaj Ji is a divine personality; he is spending his whole life to show us the path to God. He has guided millions of people who have hunger for god. He is the original 5th Jagad guru.
    We are the ones who blamed mother Sita in Satyayug. We are the ones who dint have faith and trust in lord Ram. We are the ones who dint believes Lord Krishna. Who did we spare? When God himself was not spared how we can spare a saint. Souls who had trusted Sita, Ram and Krishna have reached them and we who blamed them are still rotating in this endless cycle of birth and death. I request every one of us not to repeat this mistake again. It’s for our own benefit.

    If you don’t know Maharaj ji, please don’t believe any gossip and comments.

  16. I was an Insider —

    I was an insider (I mean a real insider) in Kripalu Maharajji’s organization. I was extremely devoted to him and to his organization and had many spiritual experiences and great spiritual insights. I later found out that spiritual experiences arise out of your own sincerity and efforts and have nothing to do with the so-called guru or teacher. After all, God or Krishna (call him what you will) is still there, and He responds to sincere seekers regardless of how big a fraud the teacher is.

    My heart was broken and I was annihilated when slowly but surely, the fraudulent nature of in Kripalu Maharajji’s mission became known to me. There were many, many examples of corruption of the mission that came before me, before I took the extremely difficult step of renouncing this teacher and organization. I could write a book on this, but I’ll simply sum-up some key points for those of you that have an open mind on such things. Trust me (actually trust yourself), without willingness to stand-up for the truth, you will never get anywhere spiritually.

    1. Kripalu Maharaj definitely has an obsession with sex, although he teaches others that there is no ‘anand’ in this world. There have been many instances of very creditable reports and charges against him. Most of these are from very good and sincere people that are bastions of the community and really sincere to God. However, modesty, embarrassment and the fear of a powerful organization that could hurt makes them hesitate to speak out. The father of the girls from Nagpur that took the case against him all the way to the Indian Supreme Court was a rare and very brave exception. This father could have settled easily for large amounts of money that Kripalu’s organization would have been too willing to pay to end this case. That he and his daughters fought and are still fighting for justice shows that they are not motivated by money or fame. They just want justice!

    2. This is how it works today. To sit in Maharajjis presence, to touch his feet, to have coffee with him, to drink charanamrit and even to be hit by his slippers means that there is a charge. They call it ‘seva,’ but basically nothing is free. Have a chappal hit you and enjoy the ‘grace’ of ‘chappal seva, ’ then pay $100 for the privilege!

    3. However, there is one special ‘seva’ open only to women. A secret ‘seva’ called ‘charan seva’ that is free. For this, Maharajji’s preachers take all the unknowing women into the room where Maharajji is lying on his bed. The lights are dimmed and the women surround him and press his body. The most attractive women are positioned around his pillow and within reach of his hands. The lights are then turned-out completely, giving Maharajji the chance to grope the pretty women close to him. If they do not pull back, they are invited to stay behind!!

    4. Maharajji’s children and grand-children often travel with him at the cost of ‘devotees’ donations. Their slightest wishes, no matter how materialistic are again fulfilled at ‘devotees’ expense. Huge sums of money are raised through ‘sevas’ with little if any accounting of where it goes while no expense is spared for the ‘divine family.’ Any spiritual person can tell that this family is quite materialistic and have no spiritual virtues. Maharajji himself is driven around India in a Mercedes.

    5. Brainwashing is accomplished by telling ‘devotees’ to not read or listen to any other teachings and to limit their association with only ‘devotees.’ Maharajji wears special scents to create the impression that his body exudes divine fragrances and the entire field of senses is used to create the aura of divinity. His publicity department is the most professional and his preachers claim that he is the most divine descention ever, greater even than Krishna or Rama!

    6. In Trinidad, Maharajji’s organization is called Radha Madhav society. It’s head in Trinidad is called Didiji. She is yet another fraud whose last organization in Oklahoma had to be shut down because of many sexual allegations against her and her relationship with Kripalu Maharaj. Even her web-site was erased so that nothing embarrassing about her would come out.

    Does this organization do any good? Well yes, probably the hospitals in India (I think) do some good and if ‘devotees’ use the temples of this organization only to help in their own search for God they are indeed benefited (once again, because of their own sincerity and efforts). But if you get too close, your pockets will get picked and your efforts towards God will be changed to efforts for and only for Maharajji. Also, please keep your women out of his room!

    Is this organization uniquely corrupt? Oh no! All Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Parsi etc organizations are corrupt to a large degree. Buddha said that “I point out the moon to you and you turn around and worship my finger!” As soon as the truth is spoken, the followers start corrupting. But in this case, this has gone much too far and too many wonderful, well meaning people who have given everything for God have been badly hurt! Have no fear of speaking out! See how bravely the woman from Guyana has spoken, and earlier how bravely the father and girls from Nagpur have too! Please do not further victimize these victims by saying that they want publicity or want to strike a deal. These are great, brave women whom I salute!

    God cannot be separate from the truth, and the truth is that Maharajji is a fallen saint (not an eternal one). There is no joy in saying this, but rather sadness. It is a sacred duty to truth and dharma.

  17. I can’t believe you people. If that is what you call yourself. I, for one, am ashamed that we can fabricate such a load of nonesense against such a spiritual and divine leader. Just tell me this, name one saint that has never been persecuted or alleged by people in the past as of committing some grave crime… Jesus Christ, Buddha, Ram and even Lord Krishna for that matter… Truly there’s a lesson we can learn from this…. don’t listen to other people’s intrepretation or even my own for that matter. read and go through his philosophies, his teachings, listen to his sermons… Judge for yourself but only after you’ve read his teachings…. do you really want to commit a heinous crime of that of accusing a saint just relying on other people’s intrepretation ?
    And yeah about his ‘Sewa’… if you listen to his teachings you will know that he is trying to help us disregard the material things in life… money for that matter is material… just think of the evil money has produced… grief and suffering brings people closer to god… a lot of money sure does not…
    so this is only a portion of what i have to say….

  18. If only half of what z-ga says can be proved this man should be arrested by Interpol on behalf of every country where he has accumulated wealth from the gullible and also for sexual exploitation, using religion as a shroud. Z’s statement are a compeling case for educating our women so that they cannot be tricked by people like this. If we leave our girl children to be educated by backward people, they would be backward and fall for this trash.

    As Dr.Johnetta Cole of Emory University said, “Yes, it takes a village to raise a child, but if the illage is crazy, it can only raise crazy children” We needto save our children from this craziness. If he was a European going to the developing world doing this, they would have got him already. If he was a Middle Eastern or Pakistani Muslim, he would have been considered a terrorist.

    Why has not the Government of India alerted the governmets of the places where he visits of the acts of the apparent international predator?

  19. In response to the post by z-ga

    Even if all what is stated in that post is true, you have not made a case of the guru breaking any laws, including having sex with persons against their wishes. Even if the guru has an obsession with sex as you put it and people willingly consent to have sex with him, I see nothing wrong with that.

    It seems that some people may have some grievance with that organization but we cannot verify the complaints. So far, nothing posted here shows the guru RAPED anyone. If you think the guru is a fraud, you have not even made that case. How are you going to prove to us that he is a fraud?

    Sex has always been a part of the spiritual development of people in many ancient African and Indian cultures. I think much of that is maintained in Indian cultures. Today, many people have a hang-up with sex as a part of spirituality, but that does not mean all other cultures should be like them. Many Indians do not have such hang-ups and although many who claim to be about spirituality are abusing people, if in the light of the wealth of information available today, people willingly give their bodies over to try these different practices, I see nothing wrong with that.

    It is either people reject what some of these people are offering or they experiment with it. My only concern is if people are being forced to get involved in these practices. If they are not, then I’m cool with that.

    This blog should not allow people unfettered rights to spread unproven allegations about the guru and his organization that cannot be easily verified.

  20. jay jay shree radhey,
    Dear all, you are all doing your part of karma, by speaking against shree Kripaluji mahraji, indeed its a testing time for all. The fact is that people get misleaded very easily, by any misleading news or gossips.
    Its ok if someone is framing charges , that matter will get absolved.And every thing will come to light. The person who is accusing is doing her part of Karma, But You all people why are you getting so much excited by all these , without any credentiality, of the statements of the persons who are making such accusations.

    And to add up can we depend totally on the media, how can we believe on the media completely.
    The media as per as their role are providing their part of work to give the current news and information as to what is going on … BUT AND BUT , We have to decide , and should not make any premature and presumptous judgement.
    Dont let your emotions get biased by some negative and malicious statements,
    You all know the truth, there always been rumours in real world even against nice people, , so what to say about saints.
    Its my request to all innocent people please dont make false statements and limit yourself. because this thing will be inflicted on your karma.
    be very careful.
    its very painful for us hearing such stupid things.

    God bless all of you.
    and i pray for forgiveness for all
    As for about me: I have been in sociation with shree mahraji very long , and believe me, there is nothing like of this kind.
    Jytirmoy

  21. I am assuming that Heru is a male writer and as such, has a male viewpoint. A person of power and privilege can coerce young Hindu women into sexually compromising situations, by exploiting their subsevience to authority, they reticence bred of long years of such subservience, and their belief that he is some kind of near God figure. To assume that this is not so is to be blind to reality. It is happening all over the world where women are shielded and “proected by men”. Take any Hindu women who is a young university student, a lawyer, a young doctor, or an Olympic class athlete, and run these scenarios by her. She’d be out of there like a streak of lightening. The less informed and weaker ones, become the lambs to the slaughter.

    Co-oercion can happen if the powerful person assumes that silence is consent, and the victims or subordinate persons have not been trained to know that their specific consent is needed for any act of intimacy.

    I keep responding to these areas of darkness in the minds of men, in the hope of educating people. I may be one voice crying in a wilderness, but that voice will continue to be raised, in the intrest of all women, in the interest in the joy of consensual relations.

    If the Guru has a sheet of paper signed by that young woman, dated and stamped,giving her informed consent to whatever he may do with her, he is out in the clear.If he had such a paper, it would have been produced already.

  22. The post by the “INSIDER” reveals everything in detail. If not yet understood by some OSTRICHES leave them to their fate.

    Insider said:

    : Does this organization do any good? Well yes, probably the hospitals in India (I think) do some good and if ‘devotees’ use the temples of this organization only to help in their own search for God they are indeed benefited (once again, because of their own sincerity and efforts). But if you get too close, your pockets will get picked and your efforts towards God will be changed to efforts for and only for Maharajji. Also, please keep your women out of his room!

    : Is this organization uniquely corrupt? Oh no! All Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Parsi etc organizations are corrupt to a large degree. Buddha said that “I point out the moon to you and you turn around and worship my finger!” As soon as the truth is spoken, the followers start corrupting. But in this case, this has gone much too far and too many wonderful, well meaning people who have given everything for God have been badly hurt! Have no fear of speaking out! See how bravely the woman from Guyana has spoken, and earlier how bravely the father and girls from Nagpur have too! Please do not further victimize these victims by saying that they want publicity or want to strike a deal. These are great, brave women whom I salute!

    : God cannot be separate from the truth, and the truth is that Maharajji is a fallen saint (not an eternal one). There is no joy in saying this, but rather sadness. It is a sacred duty to truth and dharma.

    Dear Insider,

    Applaud your sincere efforts to alert the innocent followers and general public.

    The so called hospitals and charity work are to impress the folks around the world and to extract huge, tax-deductible donations. It is also used as another positive political propaganda for their mission. This method is commonly adopted by several religious organizations to produce a good public image of themselves.

    I was told by one of the fellow insiders that the charity hospitals are mainly devised as “tax shelters” just to fool the income tax authorities.

  23. Linda Edwards,

    The meaning of coercion is to persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats.

    The writer did not state that the guru uses coercion (force or threats, which can be construed to mean many things) to get his way with women. I did not respond to a claim of coercion as the writer did not make such an accusation.

    If the guru is threatening to do harm to people or their families in order to have sex with them, then that is criminal.

    I do not accept your argument and I do not believe women, or Hindu women to be more specific, are a bunch of dimwitted people who need special protection. If you can show that children are being abused, then fine. That is criminal and should be addressed by the law. But adults have to inform themselves and accept responsibility for their choices.

    I do not accept the paternalistic attitude that judges a culture as less informed and weaker and, therefore, in need of special protection from ‘coercion’ (the post I responded to did not mention threats of physical force). Sharing views and ideas and making them accessible is how I feel I could assist others to realize alternatives.

    Most people are subservient to authority, but that does not mean adults need some special protection. There is much information available today about people’s false motivations and there are alternatives to any cultural ways. If people have access to alternative information, then it is up to them to learn.

    The point I am making is simple: if they can prove the 22 year old female was raped, (the guru had sex with her against he will) then sure he is guilty of a crime and would pay the price. But the post I responded to does not show that the guru may be predisposed to raping anyone.

    It is not my contention that the guru is innocent or guilty. I am not passing judgment.

    P.S. Your last paragraph does not make sense and does not respond to anything in my prior response.

  24. My dear Here: Only paragraph one responded directly to your comment. The others are looking at broader perspectives on the issue.

    Keep women in “Areas of darkness”, believing some man can lead them to the light of truth, keep them only semi-educated and responding to the pressures of societal expectation, and you have an under-class waiting to be exploited. All women who follow cult-like religions, including some Hindu women are victims of this mindset. Have you ever wondered why it is that so few men go to church, temple or mosque(Muslims may be the only ones I have found from observation , who go in equal numbers)and so many women crowd every church service, from revivalst televangelism to guru-ism?

    This does not suggest to me, minds that are free. To be free is to be free NOT to go, and risk being condemned by others , and say to hell with them, I’m doing my own thing. But, alas, the very nature of religion precludes women saying any such thing. The exploiters count on it. Group co-oercion is quite effective. Women have that communal need to belong, even harems count on it.

    Here again, I am commenting on general trends, not in response to something specific you said.

  25. UPDATE: June 09, 2007

    Magistrate orders return of swami’s passport

    By Anika Gumbs-Sandiford
    http://www.guardian.co.tt/

    THE spiritual background of swami Ram Tripathi Maharaj was enough to convince Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington that he is not a flight risk.

    Wellington, presiding in the San Fernando Magistrates First Court yesterday ordered that Maharaj’s passport be returned to him immediately in order for him to attend several prayer services across the world.

    He is on $50,000 bail.

    Maharaj, 86, who has thousands of followers, is expected to attend a prayer function in London on June 16.

    Flanked by several devotees as he reappeared before Wellington yesterday, the elderly Maharaj was lifted up the flight of stairs as he made his way into the courtroom.

    In his bail application to Wellington yesterday, defence attorney Prakash Ramadahar, said based on the spiritual background of his client, Maharaj should not be denied the right to travel.

    Ramadhar said several Hindu organisations had written the court informing them that venues and accommodation costing over $500,000 had been booked for the swami.

    Persuaded by the application put forward by Ramadhar, Wellington said: “I must confess you have put forward a spiritual defence. You are asking the court to take a big chance. Should I accede to your request and he does not return it would reflect badly on the system.”

    Vowing that Maharaj will return for the court matter Ramdahar said: “In the Hindu philosophy the Hindu spirit will not evade what it has to deal with otherwise it will rerun to other generations.”

    Despite objections from the court prosecutor Sgt Ali, Wellington ordered that Maharaj’s passport be returned to him forthwith and for him to return to court on July 16.

    The swami was invited to Trinidad on a one-month visit to hold various discourses on Hinduism at various parts of the country.

    On May 18, one day before the swami was scheduled to attend a function in Chaguanas, he was arrested at a house at Branch Road, Palmiste.

    He is accused of raping and performing a grievous sexual act on a 22-year-old Guyanese woman who went to the house for spiritual healing.

    ©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

  26. Magistrates are right thinking people, we must believe; and if one ordered the return of the guru’s passport,so that he can travel to his $500,000. agenda, that must be done. Let us wait and see how sick he gets “abroad” so that he will be unable to return to stand trial.He’ll be in a wheelchair- motorized and all, before we know it.

    Pinochet of Chile was also a powerful person, who pulled scam after scam to avoid going to jail for his political crimes, until death took him.

    Paris Hilton tried it too. Yesterday, she lost. Her lawyers have not given up, her money is expected to speak loudly.

    In money and power vs the poor, the poor lose.

    Chavez of Venezuela and Morales of Bolivia may be the only ones who succeed in putting money and power into the hands of the poor, for the powerful never cease to use their money to blanket the media and fight for their “God given right” to exploit the poor.

  27. I’m not even sure where to begin. There are a few people here who staunchly defend the accuser, saying that women’s rights must be protected. They even applaud her as she goes around the country telling graphic details of the alleged attack. As a young girl (about 8 years old), a man took advantage of me, and it took many years for me to come to terms with it. I even had it blocked entirely from memory for a number of years. It was just too painful to think about. And the SHAME of it all was too much to bear! She is going around telling strangers about what happened. This isn’t like sharing a new muffin recipe, or whatever. If she was raped, the mere thought of it, re-living that memory, should have caused her a lot of pain; not to mention actually speaking of it. I understand that people deal with trauma differently, but honestly, something sounds fishy. If a man does in fact molest a woman, he should definitely be punished. However, if a woman falsely accuses a man of committing such a crime, that involves much more deception on the woman’s part, and the woman should be charged with mischief. This crime is far too serious to be thrown around, willy-nilly.

    After that childhood encounter, I am very wary of men. It sounds weird, but there is a “vibe” (sorry, I don’t know how else to describe it) around a lustful man. People who are sensitive to such “vibes” or auras or energies will understand what I mean. If you’ve ever walked into a room where people were fighting, most people can feel the tension. It’s similar to that. It’s just plain gross, and makes him stick out like a sore thumb. Up to this day, it hasn’t failed me. I’ll spare the details.

    Now, I have known Shri Maharajji for a number of years. I was wary, at first, as I am with everyone. But I never felt anything uncomfortable around him. After some time, I saw that inner personality. It wasn’t “brain-washing” as some people have called it. I have a brain of my own, and still use it. I have a degree in a science field; by habit I analyze and scrutinize every little detail. I don’t accept things without first seeing evidence. Shri Maharajji is the same way with his lectures. He gives the citation for every statement made–meaning he quotes from scripture, giving the chapter and verse number of various Hindu, Sikh, Sufi, Muslim etc. texts, without having studied them beforehand. Think about this, people! He isn’t an ordinary person, He is certainly a very great Divine Personality, full of purity and innocence. He has the simplicity of a small child, there’s no deception, no tricks to deceive people. Like other saints before Him, He simply tells it like it is, and this rankles with many people.

    Z-ga (the “Insider”) made some comments that I’d like to write about:

    1. The Nagpur incident–come on. The girls were found to be virgins. You can’t be with a man, repeatedly, and still upon medical examination be a virgin. The father was a member of ISKON, and upset that so many people were leaving ISKON to join with Shri Maharajji. This was a deliberate attempt to smear his good name. The judge knew this, and so the case was thrown out.

    2. He tells us to do seva for our own benefit. We have great attachment to money, and tells us to donate whatever we can. BUT, there are instances where people who truly cannot afford it want to touch his feet, or whatever, and He allows them to do it for free. He has done this many times. The charanamrit is free, too. To be tapped on the back with a Saint’s slipper is a great fortune–it’s a sweet gesture, done with nothing but love, and helps destroy past accumulated sins.

    3. The “charan seva” deal–my goodness. Yes, young (and older) ladies go into a dimly-lit room to massage his legs as he rests. The lights are lowered so that he can sleep. Often people can hear him snoring. I have been there numerous times, and nothing dirty goes on. By the way, men are also allowed to do charan seva, but separately from the ladies. Will someone accuse him of “groping” the men too? Goodness.

    4. Maharajji’s children are equally as divine as He is, and any spiritually minded person can feel that. They are given gifts by such devotees, and give them back to others. They don’t keep such things for themselves. As for the “huge amounts of money” collected, every penny is accounted for, and is kept on record. Shri Maharajji doesn’t own a yard of land that is his own. He accepts only what people lovingly give, and keeps it for some time when appropriate (ex. shirts, hats, the Mercedes, etc.) He never demands anything.

    5. Brainwashing is when a person is forced to stay within the group and not even think outside of it. But Maharajji has said many times before that if a person feels he/she will progress better with another Guru, then by all mean, go to that Guru. He does not force anyone to stay. If a person does stay, to avoid confusion and conflicting advice, s/he shouldn’t listen to too many speakers. And he says to never have ill-feelings toward that first Guru, since it would be namaparadh. This goes both ways–people wanting to join with him, and people who want to leave.

    6. Didiji’s previous website was simply renamed, not erased to destroy incriminating evidence, since all smaller groups around the world are also to be called “Radha Madhav Society” under the umbrella of JKP. There was some garbage circulating, all fabricated, of course, trying to defame her as well. Honestly, people, get your brains out of the gutter.

    I beg you all to get to know the Divine Personality known as Shri Maharajji first, listen to His lectures, go to http://www.jkp.org, do the sadhana that He prescribes, and see where it takes you. He is not the monster some people are trying to make him out to be. Rather, He is the very personification of love, grace and compassion. He has nothing but the best of intentions for everyone, including those who wish to defame him! It’s our great misfortune that we have no faith in such personalities. It’s only when they leave that we realize who They really are, and then we repent. Please, let’s not give in to all the negativity.

    Shrimat Sadguru Sarkar ki jai!

  28. Mo, my dear, why can’t men massage his legs in the darkened room? Is there a scientific or religio=spiritual reason for this? Yes, people can sense an aura of evil, most aware people have this additional sense, but you have to be wary to sense it. If you and the other are of one mind, you will sense nothing.

    You have confirmed a lot of what others have said. I still feel there is alot of Heavensgate and Jim-Jonesism involved in these modern claims of deep spirituality.

    NOW THE DALAI lAMA HAS LIVED IN INDIA SINCE HE WAS FORCED INTO EXILE NEARLY FORTY YEARS AGO. HE GOES ALL OVER THE WORLD. NO ONE HAS EVER IMPUGNED HIS CHARACTER IN ANY WAY.

    He is truly a spiritual being. I will leave this issue alone.hereafter.

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