“That patently false and spiritually offensive attack on the pure, transcendental character and integrity of Srila Prabhupada was destined to fail. And fail it did. ”

Los Angeles, CA. October 5, 2001 (CHAKRA) – Hare Krishna. This past week the Hon. Sam A. Lindsay of the U.S. District Court in Dallas gutted the Children of ISKCON case filed by Windle Turley against ISKCON. From a legal point of view, this came as no great surprise. The court rightly rejected the federal RICO claim and refused to take jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' state law claims. The court ruled appropriately and the court ruled wisely.

In the Complaint, Srila Prabhupada was placed at the organizational center of a vast, decades-long criminal conspiracy to shamelessly, purposefully and knowingly abuse hundreds of innocent devotee children, and then cover it up. That patently false and spiritually offensive attack on the pure, transcendental character and integrity of Srila Prabhupada was destined to fail. And fail it did. It was just plain wrong to think that one could obtain something good by standing on the head of a Pure Devotee. So this particular ill-conceived, ill-motivated and ill-pled federal lawsuit is now finished.

But can the same be said about the underlying karma which spawned this suit in the first place ? The litigation drums are already beginning to beat for multiple state court lawsuits — a sad course of action which would only serve to waste a unique opportunity for communication and closure.

For years, innumerable devotees have expressed the view that the "real" ISKCON is actually the totality of Srila Prabhupada followers — not just the official institution. Now is the time for that ISKCON — that is, for all Srila Prabhupada followers — to reach out, to listen, and to connect with those who were abused. As it never was just an institutional problem so it can never be just an institutional solution.

This window will not last long. Those looking for a remedy will regroup. So let's all play a role — in whatever way we are each individually inspired — to reach out — now — in a loving way to all those who were abused. Let's all cooperate together to bring an end to this problem as our Krishna Conscious philosophy teaches us — in a personal way. Such personal action alone will end this unfortunate chapter in the history of our Mission. That would be real closure.

Om Tat Sat,

Gupta das

____________________
Joseph Fedorowsky Esq
OXFORD LAW FIRM
5757 W Century Blvd., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Tel: 310.645.9920
Fax: 310.645.7444
lawyer@oxfordlaw.com 

© CHAKRA 07-October-2001 

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