Explainer: Uproar over monasteries, mahants and ashrams, who was hit by the law, what is the game of religion and power?

Avimukteshwaranand Controversy: In India, religion is not limited to mere worship, but is the pivot of social and cultural life. From the monastic system established by Adi Shankaracharya to modern ashrams and gurus, religious institutions worked to give direction to the society. But from time to time, cases related to some big names like Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Asaram Bapu, Narayan Sai and Rampal have raised the question that why do controversies over religious institutions come up again and again? This issue has been going on for some time now Avimukteshwarananda Magh Mela and the allegations of sexual exploitation against him are in the headlines. Like before, the Supreme Court has once ordered an investigation against Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati. On the orders of the apex court, the police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and started investigation.

Meanwhile, Ashutosh Brahmachari and writer Bhumika Dwivedi, who wrote a book while staying in Shri Vidyapeeth, have made many sensational revelations. After that people want to know about all those Shankaracharyas, Mahants and Mahamandaleshwars who came into controversies. Many of these were punished. Come, let us know about such religious gurus.

Who are the major religious leaders who have come into controversies so far?

The latest controversy is in the headlines because of Avimukteshwarananda. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (Uttarakhand), who is counted among the prominent religious leaders of Advaita Vedanta tradition. He is often in the news for his outspoken statements, activism on religious issues and various controversies. In recent times, he has come into limelight due to some allegations, ashram related matters and public disputes with other saints. His statements and activities have sparked a new debate on the relationship between religion, politics and faith, raising questions about his role and influence.

Her troubles have increased considerably since the beginning of the police investigation and the arrival of the medical report in the sexual abuse case. Apart from Swami Avimukteshwarananda, Jayendra Saraswati, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Asaram Bapu, Narayan Sai, Rampal, Swami Nityananda, Jayendra Saraswati, Radhe Maa, Ichchadhari Bhimnath and Nirmal Baba have also been in controversies.

1. Jayendra Saraswati

The controversy related to Jayendra Saraswati came to light in 2004. He was accused of murdering Shankararaman, a person associated with the Kanchi Math. A case was registered on the basis of the family members of the deceased and police investigation. In this case, Tamil Nadu Police had arrested him on charges of conspiracy. Puducherry Sessions Court’s decision in this case came in 2013. The court had acquitted Jayendra Saraswati due to lack of evidence.

2. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya came into controversies many times regarding his statements. There was a lot of controversy regarding some of his social and religious statements, but no major criminal case was ever proved against him. There is no record of conviction against him in serious criminal cases.

3. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted by the CBI special court, Panchkula, in cases of sexual exploitation and conspiracy to murder a journalist. The Sadhvis of Dera had written a letter and made allegations. After police and CBI action and investigation, the court convicted him in the rape case in 2017 and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment. In 2019, he was also proved guilty in the journalist murder case.

4. Asaram Bapu

Asaram Bapu came into controversy due to sexual exploitation of a minor. The victim and her family lodged an FIR. Rajasthan Police arrested and later Jodhpur Sessions Court convicted him in 2018 and is in jail under life imprisonment.

5. Narayan Sai

Asaram Bapu’s son Narayan Sai came into controversy over allegations of sexual exploitation of women. Female followers had complained about him to the police. Gujarat Police arrested Narayan Sai. Surat Sessions Court also found him guilty in 2019 and he is also serving life imprisonment.

6. Rampal

Rampal came into controversy when cases of violence and illegal detention of people came to light in his ashram. He was also accused of not following the order of Hisar Sessions Court. The violence took place when police and administration officials had reached his Satlok Ashram to take action after receiving the complaint. The court also convicted him in several cases including murder in 2018. He is also serving life sentence in jail.

7. Swami Nityananda

Swami Nityananda was accused of sexual exploitation, kidnapping and illegal activities. His followers had complained about this to the police. Many FIRs were registered against him. In one case, he was even accused of leaving India and fleeing abroad. Investigation and trial are pending against him in many cases in the trial courts (Karnataka, Gujarat).

8. Radhe Maa

Radhe Maa came into limelight after allegations related to dowry harassment and spreading obscenity were made. These allegations were made by family members and social workers. He was acquitted by the court due to lack of sufficient evidence.

9. Nirmal Baba

Nirmal Baba was also in the news when he was accused of taking money in the name of miracles. He was also accused of fraud, but no major criminal convictions were found.

How did religious institutions become the center of power?

Now, the important question is that monasteries, temples and ashrams, considered centers of faith, are no longer just places of religious practice. With time, the scope of these institutions increased so much that they became powerful centers influencing society, economy and politics. The support of crores of followers, huge donations and land-property made him the center of not only spiritual but also social and political power.

This is the reason why whenever controversies related to these institutions come up, questions are not raised just on any one person or ashram, but on the entire system. After all, how did these centers related to faith fit into the equations of power? And why there is a conflict between religion, influence and accountability again and again. Know the main reasons for religion and power becoming the center:

1. From faith to power: how the nature of institutions changed

In the beginning the objective of religious institutions was knowledge, spiritual practice and social service. But with time: Big ashrams and monasteries became financially strong, became a base of millions of followers, political and social influence increased Result: Spiritual centers gradually became “power centers”

2. Danger of personality worship

In many institutions, the tendency to consider the Guru as “infallible” or “God-like” increased. What happened from this? The culture of asking questions ends, followers avoid criticism, wrong conduct can also be hidden –

3. Lack of accountability

Religious institutions are often largely outside government control. Operating on internal rules. Hence low transparency, limited financial and administrative monitoring-

4. Clash of law versus faith

When allegations emerge, followers may consider it a “conspiracy”, whereas the law operates on the basis of evidence. Example: Court acquitted in Jayendra Saraswati case. Whereas, Gurmeet was convicted in cases like Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu. This increases both confusion and polarization in the society.

5. Attraction of resources and power

Where there is money and land and crowd (followers), the possibility of entry of wrong elements increases. Religious institutions are not untouched by this.

What was Adi Shankaracharya’s thinking behind building the monastery?

In the Indian religious-social system, “religion” has not only been a matter of faith, but has also been an organized ideological and cultural force. To organize, protect and integrate this power, Adi Shankaracharya created an important institutional structure in the 8th century, which later became the basis of the structure of Hinduism. Chief among these

Built four monasteries in four directions of India

Actually, Adi Shankaracharya did this with the aim of unifying the monastic system of Hinduism, which provided cultural and spiritual guidance for centuries. He built four monasteries. These include Sringeri Sharda Peeth (South), Dwarka Sharda Peeth (West), Jyotirmath (North) and Govardhan Math Puri (East). The purpose of these monasteries was to propagate Vedanta philosophy (especially Advaita). Preservation of religious education and traditions. To establish cultural unity throughout India. This system was very necessary at that time, because India was divided into many small religious and philosophical sects.

Expansion of religious institutions: temples, ashrams and akharas

Over time, under the influence of these monasteries, a vast network of temples, gurukuls and ashrams developed. Temples became not only places of worship but also socio-economic centres. Gurukuls became centers of education. Akharas and monasteries became symbols of spiritual leadership. The heads of these institutions, Shankaracharya, Mahant, Mahamandaleshwar were considered moral guides in the society.

Then became the center of power, prestige and resources.

As these institutions expanded, their land-property, donations and financial resources, socio-political influence also started increasing. This is where the problem begins where “spiritual power” gradually started turning into “institutional power”.

4. Why did cases of unethical conduct start coming to light?

From time to time in history, some religious leaders have been accused of corruption, power struggles, and even sexual abuse. Some main reasons are considered behind this.

• Religious institutions are often autonomous, with limited external oversight.
• The tradition of considering the Guru or Mahant as “infallible” weakened the culture of raising questions.
• Where there is power and money, the possibility of entry of bad elements increases.
• Many times society suppresses allegations in the name of “religion”, which reduces accountability.

5. Is this a failure of the entire institutional structure?

It is important to understand that the basic objective of Hindu religious institutions has been knowledge, spiritual practice and social service. Most monasteries and temples are still centers of education, religion and service, but in some cases the mistakes of individuals affected the image of the entire institution.

6. How to get rid of evils?

In today’s time, accountability has increased due to media and law. Many institutions are implementing transparency and code of conduct. Awareness is also increasing in the society. Only then will the institutional power of religion remain sustainable. When it has both morality and transparency.

How many philosophies are related to Hindu religion?

When it comes to the heads of religious institutions, it is also important to know that the tradition of “darshan” in Hindu religion has been very rich and diverse. Mainly they are divided into two categories. Theistic philosophy and atheistic philosophy. There are total 9 darshans in Hindu religion. Of these, six are theists and three are atheists. In theistic philosophy 1. Nyaya, 2. Vaisheshika, 3. Sankhya 4. Yoga 5. Purva Mimamsa 6. Vedanta philosophy. Atheistic philosophy includes Buddhist, Jain and Charvak philosophy.

Actually, the specialty of Hinduism is that it has the freedom to understand the same truth in different ways. This is the reason why not just one but several philosophical currents developed simultaneously.

every in one line Of Understand the full essence of philosophy

Nyaya – think, Vaisheshika – the world is made of things, Sankhya – body and soul, Yoga – calm the mind, Mimamsa – act, Vedanta – all is one, Buddhism – everything changes, Jain – there are many truths and Charvaka – whatever is seen is the truth.

How are these philosophies reflected in today’s life and politics?

Nyaya Darshan – Fact Checked Man, Vaisheshika Darshan – Scientific Mind, Sankhya Darshan – Awareness, Yoga Darshan – Stress Control, Purva Mimamsa – System and Rules, Vedanta Darshan – Spiritual Thinking, Buddhist Darshan – Let Go Mindset, Jain Darshan – Tolerance and Respect, Charvak Darshan – Love Only Yourself (You Only Live Once).