04/07/98 - 1730

Re: Formal Complaint to GBC/BBT

USA (VNN) - by Sadhusanga das

Dear Maharaja’s and prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisance’s. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am hoping that VNN kindly posts this letter on their web site, as I want to make a public statement concerning Sura dasa and the formal complaint letter I submitted. (#1595 - "Formal Complaint to GBC" & #1602 - "I didn’t Blaspheme").

1) First, I want to thank the anonymous author(s) who submitted that letter to VNN around 2/15/98. Your detailed analysis of Sura dasa’s behavior and psychological make up was well illustrated, and to say the least, very accurate. I sincerely hope your letter helps to convince the vaisnava community of my sincere intentions. I wish, however, you would have signed it. That would have maximized your credibility.

2) Secondly, I would like to publicly apologize for my original letter appearing on different internet sites. It has turned out to be a "Tabloid Scandal" that has gone way out of line. My intention was NOT to embarrass so many devotees in a public way. The original letter was to be sent, in strictest confidence, only to the members listed. I was depending on THEIR judgment (not the public), to take proper action at the BBT concerning Sura dasa (and the subsequent loss of my service activities at the BBT). The “leaking’ of this letter is regrettable.

3) Thirdly, I have to continue to "take the heat" and firmly stand by the contents of the letter I submitted, no matter WHAT Sura states (or claims that others state) in response to the pressure on him. Everything I stated in that letter was TRUE and ACCURATE. Sura has always been very offensive to so many devotees for so many years, and I beg something is done to rectify the situation. I don’t know how Sura can actually go in front of the Deities and the assembled devotees and out right deny all these accusations, it’s bewildering.

I didn’t intend, and don’t intend on EVER fabricating non-sense about a vaisnava. And I DIDN’T fabricate lies concerning Sura dasa’s ongoing behavior. From my heart, I am stating that these accusations are true. I included these “Sura quotes’ in my original complaint to the GBC and BBT so REAL action could be taken to rectify the situation. If these nasty quotes had NOT been included, the letter I sent would have simply been tossed in the trash can and not seriously considered. I don’t know why the senior management of ISKCON / BBT doesn’t investigate and act on these accusations. If I had the “guts’ to submit a letter and sign it, the least that could be done is that a formal investigation be launched and proper steps be taken to rectify the problems.

4) I don’t understand how Svavasa dasa can totally back Sura on this issue either. He KNOWS the way Sura is, possibly more than anyone else! He KNOWS how Sura is always disturbing EVERYONE in the BBT office, making their service very difficult at times. Furthermore, Svavasa also KNOWS how hard I’ve worked and dedicated myself to the BBT for several years. He had entrusted to me dozens of BBT projects and responsibilities. But now all of a sudden , I have no credibility of character or admirable service record? That I’m just a "...disgruntled, blooped devotee?" I can’t help but to believe that I’m being painted up as the “scape goat’ until this whole thing blows over and Sura is off the hook... again.

Quite frankly, I’m disappointed to see key management figures fail when it comes to dealing with subordinates who work under their care. Junior vaisnavas have rights and needs also. After all, they TOO have surrendered their lives to Krsna. With my situation, I even suggested a possible solution to Svavasa dasa and requested him to let me be a full time pujari and resign from the BBT (to get away from the friction at the BBT with Sura dasa), but he simply asked me to leave. And Sura dasa? He wasn’t even so much as reprimanded for his offensive behavior toward me, or toward my wife, or toward all the other prabhus mentioned in my formal complaint letter.

5) Finally, I publicly submit: I am NOT a “disgruntled former devotee”! I’m a faithful and active vaisnava who has been forced to leave his service and vaisnava association because of Sura dasa’s ongoing and relentless offenses. For so many years I have always tried to take the "humble position" when dealing with him because of his senior position, but enough is enough! He has constantly exploited his position and taken advantage of those around and under him. His offenses have negated the respect I once had for him. It was actually HIS behavior (not my disgruntledness) that ultimately manifested this embarrassing letter, and HE should take responsibility!

All I ask, (and ask on behalf of all the other victims of Sura), is that action be carried out. I don’t want to see blood or ex-communication or any more public embarrassment... just rectification of the situation at the BBT, and professional treatment provided for Sura dasa. If something isn’t done, many more devotees will suffer. Dear prabhus, kindly do SOMETHING!

Your blown out servant,
Sadhusanga das (exiled), SadhuSD@aol.com.