In this matter I am simply acting as a spectator since I was never closely involved with New Vrindavana. I have taken no sides but I am, of course, concerned at the extremely serious accusations levelled against Radhanath Svami and other sannyasis and GBCs who were in New Vrindavana at the time of the murders of Sulocana dasa and Cakradhari dasa as well as the subsequent suspicious deaths of two of the victims’ sons (suspicious seeing the events surrounding them).

Let us see what commentary the Vaisnava community offers on this piece by Ravindra Svarupa dasa, which I read with deep misgivings. Say what he likes, at least one homosexual predator is back in a position of significant authority in Iskcon with the full blessings of the GBC. Plus, as far as I see, the GBC has never, either individually nor, more importantly, as a body, taken meaningful responsibility for the huge mess created since Srila Prabhupada\'s departure.

No accountability has ever been introduced. On the other hand, the high-spending life styles, fancy flights to every corner of the globe, unaccounted bank accounts and money collections, disciple making \"in the manner of businessmen\", lobbying for position and politics, de facto payoffs to morally bankrupt persons and on and on ad nauseam, these things continue unabated notwithstanding the nice words spoken and written in the article and elsewhere. This way of doing things has been endemic for many, many years with no ascertainable change or improvement in the situation.

I also find it disturbing that Ravindra Svarupa dasa has chosen on the one hand to severely criticize those devotees who find fault, while on the other hand glossing over the cold blooded and gruesome murders of two devotees by appealing to the purifying process of Krsna consciousness. What is this GBC man, this guru, this learned scholar saying? That warranted criticism is worse than brutal premeditated murder mafia style?

Let us remember that if the GBC had acted in accordance with Prabhupada’s teachings, there would be no room for criticism. Where there’s smoke there’s fire and Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion (Prabhupada’s words). Who initiated and supported for years and years the Zonal Acarya travesty? On whose watch were the gurukula children brutalized and raped? Whose negligence allowed the theft of millions of dollars when some GBC/guru exited from Iskcon? The list could go on. So, as Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu says, let the devotees acknowledge their sins and offences, but what about beginning with himself and his partners, the leaders on the GBC?

My dear GBC godbrothers, as a body you are shameless. For your own good and the good of the society, take responsibility for your abject failure and resign!

Words do not say much, action does.

These are my humble observations.

Ananda Svarupa dasa

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