Vrindavan. Amidst the questions being raised regarding Sant Premanand Maharaj's Shrihit Radha Kelikunj Ashram, the sevadars, disciples and sadhikas associated with the ashram have presented their side. He has made many claims on issues like death of disciple, youth missing from home, initiation process and alleged factionalism in the ashram. The sevadars have rejected the allegations of Maharaj being taken hostage and irregularities in the ashram. However, the police investigation remains important on the questions related to the missing persons and the death of the disciple.
The process of initiation and staying in the ashram are different.
An initiated disciple named Deepak, associated with the ashram, said that taking initiation does not mean that a person will have to leave home and stay in the ashram. According to him, there is a prescribed procedure for initiation and documents related to parental permission are also required.
Referring to his experience, Deepak said that it took him about three years to get initiation. At the same time, another sevadar Sanjay Sharma said that taking initiation and staying permanently in the ashram are different things. According to him, a person does not automatically get permission to live in an ashram.
Sevadars say that Keli Kunj is mainly a saint's residence and rules have to be followed to stay there. However, these things are statements of people associated with the Ashram; Separate independent verification of adherence to these procedures is required.
What did the people associated with the ashram say about the missing children?
Some families have reached Vrindavan in search of their children after they went missing. The family members suspect that their children had left the house saying that they were going to Premanand Maharaj's ashram.
On this matter, Deepak said that there are many ashrams in Vrindavan and a large number of devotees come here. In such a situation, just leaving the house saying that you are going to the ashram does not prove that the person concerned is present in Keelkunj. He advised the family members to lodge a complaint with the police and follow the legal process.
The ashram's saint Naval Yugal Sharma also reportedly said that when a person wishes to stay in the ashram, the permission and conduct of his family is taken into account. He also said that when relatives of missing people come forward with information, the ashram tries to pass on the details to police officials.
The servants expressed their views on the death of the disciple.
Questions have also been raised regarding the death of a disciple associated with the ashram after falling from the building. Regarding this incident, Deepak said that based on the CCTV footage made public, he feels it to be a case of suicide. He also said that the reasons behind the incident are being investigated.
Expressing grief over the incident, another serviceman said that after the initial discussions and the footage that later surfaced, different things were said about the matter. However, the final basis for declaring an incident as suicide or death due to other causes is the investigation findings and official evidence. Therefore, the final conclusion regarding the circumstances of death can be drawn only after the investigation is completed.
Refusal to discuss Maharaj being taken hostage
The Sevadars also reacted to the discussions about the alleged formation of two groups in the Ashram and Premanand Maharaj being held hostage. Deepak termed these claims as wrong. According to him, Maharaj comes to Kelikunj from time to time and meets the disciples.
Another follower said that Maharaj is staying at another place due to health reasons and arrangements have been made there for his convenience. The sevadars also termed the allegations related to factionalism and land-property in the ashram as baseless. Only statements from the parties concerned and independently confirmed facts on these claims can clarify the situation.
Questions raised on the use of mobile phones
Questions were also asked regarding the mobile phones and external contacts of the people living in the ashram. During the conversation, a sadhika said that it is advisable to avoid watching videos on smartphones, so that concentration remains in the sadhana. He also said that there is no mandatory rule for depositing mobile phones.
On the other hand, in earlier reports related to the investigation of the disciple's death, it had come to light that the use of mobile phone and the arrangement of contact with the family would be investigated. In such a situation, it is necessary to look at the statements of people associated with the Ashram on this subject and the facts revealed in the investigation separately.
The ashram claimed to give information to the police
The saints of the ashram claimed that police officials are contacted for help in searching for the missing people. A saint also reportedly mentioned a WhatsApp group formed with police officials and an application sent by the ashram.
People associated with the ashram said that they try to provide information to the police in cases of missing persons. However, for those families whose members have not been found yet, the biggest question is where their relatives are and whether they are safe or not.
The real situation will become clear only through investigation
Amidst the allegations regarding Premanand Maharaj's Ashram, the sevadars have presented their stand and rejected many of the claims. But mere statements regarding the circumstances of the disciple's death and missing persons cases are not enough. The answers to these questions will be revealed only through police investigation, documents and confirmed evidence.
At present, the concerns of the affected families and the need to trace the missing remain the most sensitive aspects of this entire matter.