Swaminarayans Deal with Sadhu
Sexual Misconduct

BY: JANYALA SREENIVAS

Aug 8, AHMEDABAD (SUN) — When holy men are involved in unholy acts, what does the sect do?

Facing embarassment over their sadhus’ involvement in sex scandals and questions galore from angry devotees, various Swaminarayan sects in Gujarat have devised a way out: a code of conduct.

While the Vadtal Lakshminarayan Gadi Sansthan sect has decided to minimise interaction between sadhus and disciples at hostels, the Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Maninagar, will hold meetings of priests and disciples to ‘purify’ their thoughts twice a week and do away with rooms alloted to separate priests or disciples.

The Narnarayan Gadi Sansthan sect, Kalupur, which organised a 3-day brain-storming session at Junagadh has also decided to issue new guidelines to its priests - one of which is to ban entry of boys to priests’ quarters.

Swami Purshottam Prakash, mahant of Kalupur temple, says the sect is doing ‘‘a lot of introspection.’’ ‘‘It is a serious matter since the image of the whole sect is sullied due to the acts of a few. We held a meeting at Junagadh where this issue was discussed. We may reduce interaction between sadhus and disciples and may even put the boys hostels under observation. Elders may accompany boys in case they need to visit the sadhus quarters,’’ the Swami said.

Also, a move is afoot to invite followers to the meetings between priests and disciples to discourage scandals. There is disillusionment among the Swaminarayan sects, which collectively have over 10 million followers across the world, following complaints of sodomy and other sexual acts made against sadhus.

While the scandals have so far not touched the BAPS sect, the other sects are facing the ire of devotees who are now questioning the conduct of sadhus, the sanctity of the faith to which they are devoted, and the safety of children studying in the various gurukuls.

Swami Bhagwatpriyadasji of Maninagar says, the emphasis is on reminding the sadhus about their responsibilities. ‘‘Scandals have not touched us till now. But we don’t want to take chances. The bi-weekly meetings are aimed at tuning the minds of priests to the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Last week, we took some devotees around the temple and quarters to quell any misconception,’’ the Swamiji said.

Ghanshyam Swami of Vadtal temple, belonging to Ajendraprasad faction, says some drastic measures are required to prevent degenerating discipline in the sect. ‘‘A committee has been set up to suggest these measures. Monitoring of activities of sadhus and reducing interaction between sadhus and disciples and sadhus and outsiders is also suggested,’’ Ghanshyam Swami said.

Ajendraprasad, the former head of the temple, is absconding after a complaint was registered by another temple priest accusing him of being involved in a sex scandal. A video CD showing a couple of priests with a call girl caused a furore early this year.

Early this month, a boy accused three priests of the Swaminarayan gurukul at Khamba in Amreli of sodomy while a sadhvi committed suicide at a Gadhada gurukul in Bhavnagar after she was spotted in company of a male. When the three priests were produced in court, angry followers of the sect man-handled and stripped the sadhus who had to seek police protection.

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