02/01/98 - 1560

Gurukula Headmaster Accused Of Child Abuse

USA (VNN) - ISKCON Release: "Alachua FL, USA, Feb.1,1998. Three gurukula graduates, Ishvara Puri, Uddhava and Svarupa presented a formal complaint to the local ISKCON board and the GBC accusing Murlivadaka Das, director of the Vaisnava Academy Boys School, of child molestation when they were students. Murlivadaka, previous chairman of the child protection committee and North American Board of Education coordinator, has informally confirmed the allegations. Murlivadaka has been asked to leave his post and the ISKCON property. An investigation is underway. Persons who have any pertinent information on this case please contact Dhira Govinda, Chairman, ISKCON, PO Box 819, Alachua, Fl 32616 or E-mail: alachua@com.bbt.se." (end release)

A report on CHAKRA "ISKCON Teacher Admits Child Abuse" yesterday on this incident omits the fact that just recently Murlivadaka Das had filed his "guru application form" with respective ISKCON authorities for approval.

Some may argue that if it were not for these boys that have come forward now, potentially hundreds or possibly thousands of aspiring bhaktas who would have taken diksha initiation from this ISKCON guru could have been affected severely in their spiritual life. As evidenced by a recent article by Vipramukya Swami, ISKCON is currently attempting to "disown" any responsibility for its gurus and their spiritual purity. Yet, as long as ISKCON has a "guru approval process" in place and puts candidates on an "official list of approved gurus" ISKCON cannot easily escape this responsibility.

It may also be noted here that, according to ISKCON law, Murlivadaka das could theoretically still qualify for the guru position in ISKCON, since the requirement to become diksha guru is only a clean record of "no fall-downs" for the last 5 years. (ISKCON Law "How a Devotee Becomes Authorized to Give Initiation" 1.2.1.3. No history of fall-down - Must not have had a fall-down within five years) The current allegations against Murlivadaka das are regarding incidents dating back 10 years.