Urmila dd Rejected by GBC as ISKCON's 1st Female Diksa Guru
BY: SUGRIVA DASA
Feb 19, USA (SUN) — If you recall in 2003, Urmila devi dasi (Dr. Edith Best) was nominated to be the first female diksa guru in ISKCON. Because several GBCs objected to this, the GBC appointed the Sastra Advisory Committee (of which Urmila dd is a member) to investigate and write a paper justifying female diksa gurus.
Then in 2009, the GBC issued Action Order 305, allowing for women to be diksa gurus. Urmila dd was the only candidate till now, and she was to be confirmed or denied on February 15, 2010.
On February 15, 2010, Urmila dd was denied from being a diksa guru in a closed meeting of the GBC. According to our sources, reasons cited for her not being approved were her 'abrasive, egocentric and overbearing nature'.
