Foundation Stone Ripped From Gurukula Wall

CHAKRA (Vrindavan, India) - In a sudden move that has shocked the entire community, Mahaman, Temple President of Vrindavan, had the foundation stone put in place by Srila Prabhupada's own hand ripped off the Gurukula wall. You can see the photo in many Vyasa Puja books of Srila Prabhupada, trowel in his lotus hand, cementing this plaque in place. We feel like our hearts have just been ripped out is the reaction we hear from most devotees.

Earlier this year, the Gurukula had built an ugly wall between the Gurukula and Temple. This foundation stone, laid on Radhastami day 1976, ended up on the temple side of the wall, so it was torn off so that the temple can build some office space on their side of the wall. This was done without any meeting or consultation with anyone. Just now the General Manager of the temple Vaisnava das told me that he knew nothing about it till yesterday, although it was done about 4 days before. Even the Vice President and Guest House in charge Ganapati Das told me that he only heard ten minutes before I walked in the door.

This is the latest in the festering bad relations between the temple and the gurukula. Kadamba Kanana Swami commented that this wall is the symbol of a break down of communications. I myself had written to all the parties concerned that all the devotees, including many senior devotees have come and seen this wall think it is insane. The answer came that Sesha Prabhu, Braja Bihari, etc. are all very mature and sane people.

My only conclusion then is that the horrendous management of the temple has driven them all insane. It is seen that convicted and suspected child abusers are wandering freely around the temple premises and given service. Even I saw this ex-disciple of Bhakti Caru, Devashish, who was convicted of molesting 16 gurukula boys in Mayapur, leading kirtan and lecturing to the audience in the temple room last week. He has been banned from ISKCON temples by the CPU until he follows the measures laid down by them, which he has never done.

All complaints to the president had fallen on deaf ears. So the Gurukula was forced to this extreme position. But to rip Prabhupada's foundation stone off the wall is unforgivable. The GBC Body has shirked its responsibility for far too long to deal with the problems in Vrindavan.

HOME

Temples (news, etc.)

Book editing (changes)

Links to important sites

Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare
Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Note: All photographic images of and quotes by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on this web site are copyright by B.B.T. International and Used With Permission.

Go to the “Vrindavan Page”