BBT Struggles with
New Competition

by Vipramukhya Swami

CHAKRA (Vancouver) — The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International (BBTI) is trying to come to terms with the recent decision by a California court to allow Hansadutta dasa and his friends to form a separate company to print and sell Srila Prabhupada's books.

In a turn-around policy, Jayadvaita Swami, the present chairman of BBTI, recently issued a statement in which he said that the BBT and all of their divisions will now start selling their books at wholesale prices to any devotee or group, "regardless of affiliation, philosophy, or social or managerial outlook."

It appears that the BBT is concerned about the new competition and is trying not to lose potential book sales from Hansadutta's new company.

Although Jayadvaita Swami issued the statement of the new BBT policy, he was unavailable for additional comment and questions. In fact, when CHAKRA tried to write him for additional information, we were confronted with a message: "Notice for Jayadvaita Swami: To help keep e-mail from spoiling my life, I plan to download letters only once every week or two weeks. (I may send letters more often--or may not.) 'Inconvenience caused is regretted.' Hare Krsna."

While we appreciate the sentiment of not wanting e-mail to dominate his life, in such an important issue and during such an important time, CHAKRA can't help but to ask, Is this a good time to be inaccessible?

© CHAKRA 9-Dec-98