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Adridharan Removed from ISKCON Calcutta Property
By Vipramukhya Swami

CHAKRA (Calcutta, India) - 30 August, 2001: Adridharan dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and former temple president of ISKCON Calcutta has been removed from his post and from the ISKCON premises, reports Bhakti Purusottama Swami. ISKCON devotees are now occupying the building at 3C Albert Road in Calcutta.

"I am sitting here in the Calcutta 3C Albert Road temple, writing this text and hearing downstairs a loud ecstatic kirtan by many deovtees," reports Bhakti Purusottama Swami. "There is hardly any space to stand in the main temple room. This has been happening for last few days but recently we have got more devotees from Sridham Mayapur so it's even bigger kirtan. Not only devotees but also some policemen are relishing the kirtan and prasadam!"

The Swami reports that a prominent banner has been displayed which states the temple is now under the control of a managing committee, appointed by the ISKCON Bureau. The banner can be seen from a good distance.

"ISKCON has taken over full control of its Calcutta temple, i.e. 3C Albert Road premises," says Maharaja.

So what happened? According to reports, ISKCON received a court order to take charge of the temple premises without interference from ritvik proponent Adridharan das. Adridharan was suspended by the ISKCON Bureau sometime ago but was holding on to the temple property forcefully.

"Finally, the police also had studied the case thoroughly and understood the real situation. So they also cooperated with us," Maharaja said. "We had a wonderful celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmastami, Nandotsava and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja."

On the 9th of August some of the managing committee members of ISKCON Bureau entered the temple with a lawyer and a few police officials in order to ensure a peaceful takeover of management. Adridharan argued that he should not be removed, but the police informed him this time it was different and he had to accept what was told by the Hon'ble high court of Calcutta.

"Adridharan couldn't say much and we peacefully took over the charge although he didn't want to leave his office and we didn't bother about it much," says Bhakti Purusottama Swami.

"The next day Adridharan das realized that there was no much use of his sitting in ‘his' office, so we helped him go out escorted by police. He has now left the temple."

According to reports, most of his legal appeals are now being turned down by the high court, although it seems he will keep trying until he runs out of financial resources.

The guesthouse is also fully under ISKCON control.

"We have permission for entering the other property at Guru Saday Road (the former wedding property) but as of this hour we have not entered there as IRM people have locked the gates from inside and as usual we don't want to use physical force. Obviously they are misusing our good intentions."

ISKCON has a group of devotees who do kirtan outside the main gate of the Guru Saday Road property for many hours a day and night. Local ISKCON authorities have requested local police to help get in but they have so far avoided to do so.

Local ISKCON devotees responded by locking the gates from the outside. "Actually we were informed that they were using the backside gates for their movement but apparently they made a show of having been locked. Their drama ended when finally they managed to get the local police to help them."

Police then required the ISKCON devotees to withdraw from the property, and they complied and are now waiting to see what happens in the next few days.

"Apart from that, all other IRM [so-called ISKCON Reform Movement] supporters who were still staying at 3C Albert Road, which are hardly more than four or five anyway, have also left the temple. Some have ‘surrendered' and we have let them stay with us although we are watching their activities," says Bhakti Purusottama Swami

"It's an intense time, as you can understand, and action is more important than sending out news," says Bhakti Purusottama Swami. "But we will try to keep you updated. Meanwhile, if you hear a conflicting report from IRM and/or its agents please let us know so we can clarify it as and when needed. Please pray for devotees."

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

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