Basu Ghosh Banned from Speaking

A man can be guru, even if he is a pedophile,

a woman cannot be a guru,

even if she is a pure devotee.

That is the whole plan?

[PADA: This is really starting to be a problem for ISKCON. Men can be gurus, even if they are pedophiles like Lokanatha swami, but women cannot be gurus, even if they are pure devotees. Is this making any sense prabhus? Probably not! 

Generally, women have ALSO been the number one complainants about the child molesting and how did your guess, their complaints were minimized and neglected. A number of them were forced out of the ISKCON communities.

Then, Bhakti vikas swami writes that women should be "Mothers and not Masters" because they should not try to boss around those of us ISKCON leaders who are promoting pedophiles as God's successors, ok like BVKS, Basu Ghosh and their India ICC pedo-guru lover's club. As soon as they see a nice pedophile walking around, they fall off their chairs and think they have seen Jesus re-incarnated. 

But! As soon as some woman comes up and says, "hey there is a molesting problem here," she is ignored, or is forced to leave the community etc. How can a spiritual movement grow with such a policy?  

Women should happily participate in a society that worships illicit sex with men, women and children "gurus" without griping and moaning criticisms towards us "leaders."  This is not going to end well. As for Anuttama, he also has not really explained that child molesters are not acharyas either, nor is a child molesting guru lineage bona fide. Anyway, here is their latest round of interactions: 

ys pd]      

Home Base: ISKCON Baroda

Camp: College Park, Maryland, USA

Namonamaha. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

I am reaching out to you to share my side of the story about Anuttama Prabhu’s ban on my lecturing in ISKCON North American temples. There are always two sides to every story, and both should be heard.

Anuttama Prabhu never spoke with me before banning me. In doing so, he 
spread misleading and false statements. I wrote my concerns to him, but he said he still feels that NOT speaking to me beforehand was appropriate.

But what would ordinary Americans think of this kind of justice? In America, even for a traffic ticket, one will get the chance to appear in court to contest the allegation before punishment is applied.

But in my case, I was tried, sentenced and punished without my knowledge, what to speak of deliberately not being given an opportunity to first face the allegations and defend myself. Most people in the world, including America, would be disgusted with this kind of injustice — guilty by accusation, with no due process.

Nonetheless, Anuttama Prabhu advocates for an ISKCON constitution with a
devotee "bill of rights." Ironically, the way he has dealt with me in this case shows why ISKCON needs a “bill of rights.”

But even without a bill of rights, the shastras say that justice requires hearing both sides before reaching a verdict. In the Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Muni's Ramayana, Lord Rama Himself heard the testimony even of a dog before deciding a case. With or without an ISKCON Bill of Rights, no one should be beneath first being heard.

But in my particular case, reaching out to me to first get my side of the story would have been the decent thing to do. And contempt shown for even that small courtesy cannot remain hidden. If those who come to our society learn of these type of dealings, they will lose faith in the integrity of our society, what to speak of insiders.

I have included a narration of my side of the story along with all of the correspondence in this regard between Anuttama Prabhu and myself.

You can judge for yourself.
dasanudas,
Basu Ghosh Das

WhatsApp: +91-94260-54308

===========================

P.S. You will find below the following texts:

1) My side of the story

2) Anuttama’s letter to Basu Ghosh dated 1 June 2022

3) Basu Ghosh’s reply to Anuttama dated 2 June 2022

4) Anuttama’s reply to Basu Ghosh dated 3 June 2022

5) Anuttama’s further reply to Basu Ghosh dated 7 June 2022


##### My side of the story #####

On Saturday, May 21, I attended the wedding of a godbrother’s daughter at Philadelphia, and that is where I met Krishna Kirtan Prabhu, the head of ISKCON at Delaware. I have been staying with my youngest son, who is working here at Newark, Delaware, and I had heard there was a center here, although I did not know the location.

When we met, we spoke and he was very nice, and during our talk it was
decided that I would visit and give the Sunday feast lecture on the following Sunday, May 29. Krishna Kirtan Prabhu told me to come early, at 9:30 AM if we wanted breakfast. My wife and my son accompanied me there, which was about a 20-minute drive from Newark. 

Kirtan was in progress when I arrived, and my family members took the breakfast, but I did not. At around 11:30 AM, taking permission from
Krishna Kirtan Prabhu. I did notice that about half of the attendees
were “white bodied”, two or three African Americans, and the rest Indians. There was more chanting of various harinam kirtans, and I adopted an interactive method, asking if the listeners understood the words. When they expressed that they did not, I explained in English the meanings of the Samskrita words. After harinam kirtan, I did Jaya Radha Madhava kirtan, and again, I took to explaining each word’s English meaning.

Then — I can’t remember exactly how it occurred (apparently there is no
recording of the talk) — but I asked for Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10, and
I mentioned that there is a Vedic educational syllabus, and it’s the syllabus mentioned in SB 10.45.33-36. I read that and was explaining it, again, explaining the meanings of the Samskrita words.

The lecture went into a question period, and during the discussion, I quoted Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.25: 

strī-śūdra-dvijabandhūnāṁ trayī na śruti-gocarā
karma-śreyasi mūḍhānāṁ śreya evaṁ bhaved iha
iti bhāratam ākhyānaṁ kṛpayā muninā kṛtam

“Out of compassion, the great sage thought it wise that this would enable men to achieve the ultimate goal of life. Thus he compiled the great historical narration called the Mahābhārata for women, laborers and friends of the twice-born.”

While explaining the meaning of this verse, I mentioned that at Sandipani Muni’s gurukula, where Krishna and Balaram took instruction from him, only boys from the three higher castes were allowed, not women, shudras or unqualified members of the twice-born. On hearing this, one white bodied woman in the audience said: “this is making me feel bad”.

At that point I responded, “well, even I am not qualified to study the Vedas”, “and therefore the Mahabharata, the Bhagavatam, and the Gita, that is from the Mahabharata, we read. We read all of these books, there is no prohibition for anyone to study these books”.

The talk ended, and arati began, and I left in the middle of the arati to take prasad, as I was to head to ISKCON Philadelphia for the evening lecture. After taking prasad, as I headed to our car, I saw another one of the white bodied ladies - she was somewhat older, in her late 40s or 50. I asked her, “if I made any mistake during my talk, kindly excuse me”, to which she immediately replied, smiling and with enthusiasm, “no, nothing wrong at all, your lecture was great”!

Just afterwards, Krishna Kirtan Prabhu came to my car — we were unable to talk between the end of my talk and during my taking prasad. I asked him, “Prabhu, was there anything wrong that I said”, and he replied, “no, nothing”. My wife and my son heard this - they are witnesses. 

A couple of days later, on Tuesday, I received a letter from Anuttama Das (GBC), informing me that I disturbed the entire Delaware congregation. He wrote, “As you know, your talk caused quite a disturbance”. I was shocked to read this. I had no idea that this not only had become a big issue but the announcement that I was banned was first sent to the ISKCON NA leadership without first consulting me.

Also, some other devotees soon informed me that posted on ISKCON Delaware’s FaceBook page was a public letter condemning my presentation given that day. This was especially surprising, since I did check with one of the Western ladies and with Krishna Kirtan Prabhu, as mentioned above. If Krishna Kirtan Das had at the time actually felt that what I said had caused a major disturbance, he should have told me, and we could have dealt with the matter there and then. But if at the time he actually had been truthful with me, at what point did he change his
mind, and why?

And finally, last Saturday, June 10, I met the lady devotee from Delaware that I mentioned above, and the festival after the NYC Rathyatra, at Washington Square Park. She reiterated to me that my talk was fine, and there was no disturbance caused as alleged by Anuttama Das. She was also kind enough to give me her name and phone number.

##### Anuttama’s letter to Basu Ghosh dated 1 June 2022 #####

Letter PAMHO:33313776 (36 lines)

From: Anuttama (das) ACBSP (IC N.America)

Date: 01-Jun-22 21:52 (17:52 -0400)

To: Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN) [216561]

Attached: 33313776.eml (6135 bytes) "Original email file"

Subject: Regret to Inform You

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Basu Ghosh prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

It was brought to my attention about the incident in Delaware when you gave
the Sunday Feast talk last weekend. As you know, your talk caused quite a disturbance.

You may not know that the temple felt it was such a big problem that today they wrote a letter of apology to the entire community. Also, one of the women in the audience, who had been doing regular service, stated she will not return to the temple. Other devotees (men and women) were also disturbed and talked with me about it.

So, all things considered, I have to request you to not give any more classes or any kind of public talk at the temples in my zone, or at events they are hosting or organizing. I will be informing the Presidents of these temples of the same. (DC, New V, Harrisburg, Chicago, Naperville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Delaware, Alachua, Tampa, Tallahassee and surrounding areas.)

Of course, there is no prohibition against you visiting any of these temples, having darshan, or joining the kirtan, taking prasada, etc. I knew you were travelling in the US and in this area. I was hoping you would refrain from speaking in such divisive ways. You certainly knew in advance that such topics would be upsetting and undermining to our preaching.

I regret having to make this decision, but your words caused a lot of pain and have forced my hand. I can't risk another community or devotee becoming so disturbed.

Your servant,

Anuttama dasa

(Text PAMHO:33313776) --------------------------------------

##### Basu Ghosh’s reply to Anuttama dated 2 June 2022 #####

Dear Anuttama Prabhu,

Namonamaha. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Received your message, seen below this.

Until you wrote to me, I was unaware that this was an issue. Why did neither you nor anyone else contact me before you took this action? What exactly did I say that was so upsetting to the entire community? Was it really the entire community or just one or two people who attended the talk?

Do you have any recording of the lecture, and did you refer to it when making your decision? It seems to me that you are being grossly unfair for taking action
without a friendly query — after all we are working together on the MEB — or at worst a formal show cause notice, asking for an explanation.

If you had contacted me before taking this action, this might have been resolved in any number of more collegial ways. If anyone here is being divisive, it’s you.

dasanudas,

Basu Ghosh Das

P.S. Please send me a copy of the letter that was sent to the Delaware congregation that you referred to in your letter.


##### Anuttama’s reply to Basu Ghosh dated 3 June 2022 #####


Letter PAMHO:33316745 (253 lines) [M1]

From: Anuttama (das) ACBSP (IC N.America)

Date: 03-Jun-22 17:09 (13:09 -0400)

To: Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN) [216602]

Reference: Text PAMHO:33314975 by Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN)

Attached: 33316745.eml (31334 bytes) "Original email file"

Subject: Re: Regret to Inform You

------------------------------------------------------------

June 3, 2022

Dear Basu Ghosh prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I write this with the understanding that you are my senior godbrother and I respect you as such. You are a loyal and long standing servant of Srila Prabhupada. I find your association on the MEB to be very valuable, and I appreciate that we have worked together now for some years.

I sincerely hope that this situation will not impede our ability to serve together in other areas. I respond to your email in the hope this will add some clarity regarding how I understand my duty, and the decision I took.

I am surprised that you wrote that you are unaware there was a problem. I suggest that this itself is evidence of the problem. As I wrote, you recently caused a major disturbance in Delaware:

*"... the temple felt it was such a big problem that today they wrote a letter of apology to the entire community. Also, one of the women in the audience, who had been doing regular service, stated she will not return to the temple. Other devotees (men and women) were also disturbed and talked with me about it...."*

Preaching in the west—as established by Srila Prabhupada—is different than in India. It requires sensitivity to time, place and the differences in our local circumstances here. You are certainly aware that in America we have women Temple Presidents, Zonal Supervisors, and GBC members who are demonstrating the proof of Srila Prabhupada's teaching that the "boys and girls" can both awaken, and spread, Krishna consciousness. ("You are all very intelligent boys and girls and I have full faith in you for pushing on this movement all over the world.")

We have large numbers of women coming to our temples, looking for a place where they can practice spiritual life without fear of exploitation, sexism, or being treated as second class citizens. I believe ISKCON offers that opportunity, and we have to nurture that environment for all our guests and devotees.

Your opinion on women's roles, and their "place" in ISKCON, are different. As Bhima prabhu knows, since you have copied him here, your opinions are strongly expressed, and you have shown your unwillingness to modify them even when shown contradictory evidence.

I was hoping that during your North American visit, you would avoid topics that unnecessarily disturb our members and guests. Anticipating what might have happened, and based on your well-known views, as the GBC for this area I could have limited your speaking venues in advance.

Instead, we gave you the chance to speak unhindered — expecting you would
speak appropriately. But, as confirmed by several witnesses, in front of an audience with many westerners you chose (or perhaps unconsciously couldn't help yourself) to disturb the audience by teaching / commenting that women are not to read the Veda / sastra ... and similar other points about the limitations of women.

When, during an extended question and answer period, you were given the
opportunity to correct or modify your remarks, or put them into a modern
ISKCON context (perhaps mentioning that in ISKCON there are no barriers. Women in ISKCON are brahmanas, Temple Presidents, GBC members, etc., or quoting from Srila Prabhupada's statements about how fools and rascals don't understand his mission of engaging both boys and girls) you instead replied "don't shoot the messenger."

(There was no recording of the class. The devotee that usually records was travelling. But, I heard reports from several devotees present.)

Even in your email message to me, if you reread it, you will note that you:

Did not apologize for any disturbance that you caused: 

Did not mention that my email caused you to think about what you could have done better:

Did not explain how if you had a chance, in the future, you would be more careful:

Did not suggest, or ask about, how you can correct the damage done:

In short, you avoided the kind of responses I would expect from someone who has the ability to reach our western audiences would naturally think about.

On this point, prabhu, with all the humility I can muster, you just seem unaware of the current context in the west, and you seem intent--consciously or unconsciously--to advocate for your concepts of how society should be organized--and especially how women / Vaishnavis should *not* be given full opportunity to advance in Krishna consciousness, or to take up the many services that they thrive doing in North America.

You may feel that this works in some parts of India, but it is harmful to the Krishna conscious sentiments of many, many in the United States.

And you know that. You have heard that many, many times from western leaders. And, it is not something you needed a "warning" about. 

When I first heard of this incident, I phoned some of the Presidents in my area. They were already talking about it even before I knew of it.  Some of them told me they previously decided to not allow you to speak because of past experiences (of your comments not only about women, but criticism of the GBC, etc).

I mulled over what to do, and based on understanding that my duty is to first and foremost care for the Krishna consciousness of devotees in this area, to ensure a favorable environment for everyone to practice Krishna consciousness, and based on my experience of your opinions about various women/Vaishnavi issues, I determined that discussing it further with you would make no difference. It would bear the same fruit as multiple other conversations about this topic in the past: 

You will adhere to your views on how women should not be fully engaged and
empowered in Krishna consciousness...and you will continue to advocate those every chance and venue you have.

You certainly have a right to those opinions, but when I am told-- by multiple sources--how devotees were upset, and some even left your class so disturbed and frustrated that they say they will never return to our temples -- I have to draw the line. 

I recognize you may not agree with this decision, but we all have to do our best to serve Srila Prabhupada in our respective areas of service. Please know that I harbor no personal ill feelings against you. I wish you the best and I hope we will be able to serve respectfully together in other venues.

But, in this instance, I have to first and foremost do what I understand is best for the devotees and communities in my area of responsibility.

Your servant,

Anuttama dasa

##### Anuttama’s further reply to Basu Ghosh dated 7 June 2022 #####




---------- Forwarded message ---------

Date: Tue, Jun 7, 2022 at 5:56 PM

Subject: Modification, from Anuttama dasa

To: Basu Ghosh Das <basughoshdas@gmail.com>

CC: Bhima Das <bhimadas@gmail.com>

June 7, 2022

Dear Basu Ghosh prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Bhima prabhu, who was copied on our exchanges, wrote to me and asked me to modify the restriction on your lecturing in temples in my zone. You had also asked me to change my decision, feeling it was premature. 

After consideration, and with the understanding that we all—including myself—make mistakes, but knowing that in Krishna consciousness there is always opportunity for improvement, I'm willing to change my decision and withdraw the prohibition on your speaking. To do so, I need you to first take two simple steps:

1. Write a letter to the Delaware devotees (directed to the Temple President Krishna Kirtan prabhu and cc to me) apologizing for your insensitive remarks during your lecture there. To set the record straight please clarify in your letter that — despite whatever restrictions may have existed in the past — Srila Prabhupada in his words and actions encouraged women to study sastra, take responsibility for preaching, teaching, and spreading Krishna consciousness, especially in the west.

2. That you promise, in writing separately to me, that while in North America:

a. To avoid any statements in your talks that demean or diminish the role of women in ISKCON, or discourage their full participation in our ISKCON society.

b. To not disparage or undermine Srila Prabhupada’s strategy for preaching in the West, which includes to fully engage both boys and girls / men and women.

“However, since both the boys and girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers. Therefore, to engage both boys and girls in fully transcendental activities is a policy intended to spread the Krsna consciousness movement.” (CC 7.31-32)

If questioned on such matters (as we all are from time to time) I suggest you explain that Lord Caitanya taught we should not discriminate in spreading Krishna consciousness; and that Srila Prabhupada encouraged women to take up the mantle of spreading Krishna consciousness. You can also mention that in North America we have many qualified women leaders.

c. To avoid publicly criticizing the GBC, its members, or other ISKCON leaders in North America.

Certainly, among us as senior leaders within ISKCON, it is appropriate to have frank, open and constructive conversations about ISKCON, our leadership and its/our shortcomings. But, those should be done in the proper venues, and not publicly in front of new devotees and guests, or during a Sunday Feast lecture or other public classes such as Srimad Bhagavatam class.

If you agree to the above, I will share your letters with the North American Council leaders (who also raised concerns), and instruct the Presidents in my region that there is no prohibition against your speaking, and they are welcome to invite you to speak.

While some temple leaders may not invite you at this time due to their past experiences, I believe that when this agreement is completed and you demonstrate during your visits that you can abide by it, the number of venues open to you will increase. (Please be careful in following these guidelines so that North American leaders, including myself, don't find it necessary to again enact restrictions.)

I hope this is agreeable to you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you. Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Anuttama dasa

##### END OF CORRESPONDENCE #####