Proof of Position, Part 2 -- No Response
BY: MAHAVIDYA DAS (ACBSP)
Mar 17, 2011 — UK (SUN) —
Dear members of the ultimate managerial authority in ISKCON,
Yes… that includes the guru of Sruti dharma das and Prana Bhandu das, both part-time mountaineers and managers at Bhaktivedanta Manor, HH Sivarama Swami.
This also includes HH Bhakti Caru Swami.
We might even include local ISKCON guru, Kripamoya das,
or any of the other preachers who pass through the UK.
Or in fact, anyone in a position of authority in ISKCON.
Please... would any of you explain to the lesser souls, who coincidentally also happen to be members of ISKCON,
any of the following…
On the 8th January 2009, I received the following e-mail from Gauri das:
"Now that I have no position and don't represent anything, perhaps we could meet somewhere and talk about our past, where it went wrong and if there is anyway to salvage it."
However...
In 2011, Gauri das wrote the following:
"My name is Gauri das. I have been a full time and active member of ISKCON since 1983, and was president of the temple for a period between 2006 and 2008. I continue to be responsible for planning matters at Bhaktivedanta Manor"
(emphasis is mine)
Document to Planning Inspectorate ref: APP?N1920/C/10/2136252 (in PDF)
The above statement raises great concern.
On July 1, 2008, the ISKCON Child Protection Office wrote the following:
"Based upon the evidence presented to the CPO panel, Gauri das is found to be responsible for inappropriate and excessive corporeal punishment, a behaviour contrary to ISKCON policy and Vaisnava behaviour. The following restrictions will be immediately implemented:
Gauri das may not serve in a position of leadership in ISKCON temples or projects for three years from the date of this decision. This includes positions such as temple officer, department head, Director, etc."
In 2009…
Gauri das's 2009 e-mail was forwarded to the local Bhaktivedanta Manor Child Protection Office.
I received the following reply:
15th January 2009
"Dear Mahavidya prabhu,
This is a little confusing. I don't think Gauri is saying in this e-mail that he is not employed at the temple, I think he is saying that he doesn't have a position of leadership at the temple which was the CPO ruling.
He is allowed to be employed but not in a leadership role. The role he has now is involved with planning issues, George Harrison's garden and the Gangotri campaign (which I think has just now ended?). He does not have a leadership role in any of these services,nor is he a spokesperson for any of these things."
(emphasis is mine)
We have known Gauri das to be involved in a position at Bhaktivedanta Manor since 2008.
Gauri das's involvement was noticed by a local newspaper reporter who asked pointed questions to the Bhaktivedanta Manor President, Sruti dharma das (SRS):
"Sruti dharma das admitted that Gauri das was working on various projects in a part-time role at the temple but did not say what these projects were, how much was being paid or if they were temporary or permanent ." (Watford Observer)
We knew Gauri das was publicly representing ISKCON:
I had personally witnessed him on 3 separate occasions with planning officers at public meetings.
Gauri das was also involved with the new Goshalla planning application.
Gauri das also signed, on ISKCON's behalf, a planning application dated 27 /04/ 2009.
Planning ref: *Hertsmere borough council (TP/09/0641)
It should be noted that in Gauri das's position "of being responsible for planning matters at Bhaktivedanta Manor", he interfaces on behalf of ISKCON with politicians both national and local.
Gauri das attends meetings wherein budgets of millions of £££s are discussed.
All of this is carried out with the blessings of Bhaktivedanta Manor management and the knowledge of the GBC, Praghosa das.
This matter has been referred to both international and local Child Protection offices.
Both assured me they would make the relevant enquires.
However…
that was about a month ago.
To date, 17 March, 2011,
we have yet to receive any written response from Bhaktivedanta Manor.
The local CPO rep, mother Gandharvika dd, has had one meeting with the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple President, Sruti dharma das, but could not get a response from him?????
Mother Gandharvika dd is now trying to arrange a second meeting.
I must also state that to date, we have received no response from Bhaktivedanta Manor via mother Champakalata dd of the ISKCON International CPO.
