Hariboll

WMM Ban: Blatant Abuse of Brute Power

 

BY: DR. ANIRBAN GANGULY

 

Jun 20, 2016 — MUMBAI, MAHARASTRA (SUN) —

 

It is disconcerting to learn that ISKCON GBC has gone ahead with the ban on Bhakti Vikasa Swami’s scholarly book, Women: Mothers or Masters? You do not ban the work of a person who is writing on spiritual matters simply because you do not agree with him. You ban a thief, a criminal. There are also established norms of ways and means of respectable presentation of divergence of views. None of these had been done.

 

One of the reasons cited is that the book “advocates Polygamy and child marriage.” By that token Srila Prabhupada’s books also “advocated polygamy and child marriage.” However, if one reads the book closely one learns that the book actually harmonizes different quotes of Srila Prabhupada, given under different contexts, to different people, and nicely analyzes under what conditions it may be allowed. Although the author spoke about Srila Prabhupada’s desire to implement polygamy in ISKCON, he does not advocate it be done immediately per say and for ISKCON to take responsibility of the financial burden of a person (with multiple wives) dependent on ISKCON for his livelihood but rather, he is beginning discussion on the subject as it is an order of the founder-acarya, and that is what should have been done by the GBC. The author has explained it through quotes of Srila Prabhupada.

 

As the author states, it is after all a modern Christian mindset that forbids polygamy and clearly modern ISKCON has implicitly become overcome by Christian values, for we find polygamy replete in almost all major religions and cultures historically.

 

It looks like the ISKCON management is very happy with the high divorce rate in ISKCON and a large number of unmarried 30+, 40+ ladies in many of its centres, or the ubiquitous existence of what the author calls ‘serial monogamy’ (marrying, divorcing and marrying again), but is petrified if one even engages in a philosophical discussion on this topic via a book. If the managerial authority is rejecting that solution (which is Srila Prabhupada’s solution) to the above problems then could they suggest another solution?

 

We also find a reason for banning the book is Maharaja’s use of the term ‘child labour’, and it’s even pointed out in the Resolution that he is advocating it. The term child labour was deliberately included in the Resolution to shock and draw attention and opposition to the author. It was used without explaining the context and what he actually meant; a child working under his affectionate father or senior family members and bonding with them and learning the family trade and culture MAY BE MISCONSTRUED AS CHILD LABOUR in the modern age. This is what was stated. Thus we can see that this (the Resolution) is not the work of an impartial governing authority concerned with the purity or well being of the spiritual society. Rather, it seems it is the work of a group or individual with a set agenda and motive to antagonize the author or his book. Where is ISKCON going under the mercy of such ‘leaders’?

 

By such behaviour in the past the GBC has gradually alienated itself from the large mass of devotees who joined this movement with a view of embracing an alternative and superior culture and philosophy of living as opposed to the materialistic status quo, only to find that spiritual society is now morphing into something very much resembling the external world (feminism, mundane welfare work, mundane education) under the guidance of the GBC. This may be the last straw on the camel’s back.

 

As I stated in my earlier article last year, even in the academic circles the editors (deciding authorities of publication) show more respect to an author and there would be no question of such a ridiculous ban. Here, ISKCON, which is rapidly falling into the clutches of feminism or Western feministic views, is ruthlessly and in blatant abuse of brute power insulting a scholar and exemplary renunciate whose books many in ISKCON read regularly (only a small proportion of which are his disciples). I am of the opinion that some litigation should be brought in this affair to solve this matter. I find this episode utterly sickening and distasteful.

 

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