11/13/97 - 1205

Council Members Fear For Their Safety

USA (VNN) - VNN has learned that several members of the recently formed Independent Vaishnava Council to investigate allegations of Srila Prabhupada being poisoned are concerned about their personal safety and that of their families.

ISKCON has had some former members that became critical of ISKCON disappear or turn up dead in the past. At least in one case it was clear that a fanatical follower of an ISKCON guru assassinated an outspoken critic. He was convicted of that crime and is currently serving a life sentence.

Many Vaishnavas supporting the ongoing investigation as well as the Independent Vaishnava Council are calling on ISKCON's GBC to demand from the individuals under investigation to:

Publicly denounce and prohibit any potential intimidation, threats or violence from their disciples and followers towards any council members or witnesses involved in this investigation.

Not long ago VNN has received letters documenting that Prithu das, an ISKCON guru and candidate to become GBC, has recently made public statements calling on his disciples to "cut out the tongues" of other Vaishnavas that he disagrees with (see VNN story #1085).

ISKCON up to this day has not distanced itself from such statements nor from such individuals.