DEAR DISCIPLES AND FRIENDS,
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND LET ME KNOW
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT SUCH HAPPENING.
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Dear BB Govinda Maharaja and the GBC Godbrothers and sisters,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Needless to say, I was shocked beyond my wits and pained with my tears to receive this news.
You can well imagine how embarrassed I feel. I am also extremely surprised how anyone can do this to an 82 year old lady - how sexually pervert these people have become! It was even more embarrassing to read all the other cases of rape that took place in this holy land. These people have become even worse than animals. The thought that prevails in my mind is that the Indian Government should have zero tolerance for such perpetrators and sentence them to death. Severe punishment is the only efective way to prevent crime.
I didn't really
know what to do. I have very little political contacts and generally try to stay away from them. I got in touch with Gopal Krsna Maharaja. He is in Udipi now, taking Ayurvedic treatment. Nevertheless he assured me that he would do whatever he can and let me know.
I also posted this news to the Istogosti of my disciples and friends, with a request to think about some ways and means that can prevent such happenings. If anyone has any suggestion, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Your servant,
Bhakti Charu Swami
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Barbaric Sexual Assault In Vrindavan
On February 24, 2015
At 7 AM, in broad daylight, 82-year-old Chandrika Devi Dasi was raped and
robbed at Kesi-ghat, Vrindavan.
Chandrika is from Russia. She is a saintly vaisnavi and has come to
Vrindavan to pass the final years of her life.
In her advanced age has performed Vrindavan Parikrama everyday for the past
five years.
On February 24th, as she passed through Kesi-ghat, two Indian men,
approximately 20 years of age, approached from behind and pushed her to the
ground.
One of the men
stole her parikrama bag and ran away.
The other man climbed upon her chest and held her mouth to keep her from
screaming, pulled his genital from his cloth and while sitting upon her to
keep her from moving, masturbated and passed semen on her chest.
After his climax he jumped up to run away and a large knife fell from his
cloth. He quickly grabbed the weapon and ran.
By Krishna's blessings Chandrika Devi Dasi broke no bones when she fell. She
is shocked and traumatised by the event.
Though there were pujaris at the Kesi-ghat temple but they did nothing to
help.
From her shock, and feeling of shame, she did not report the event to the
police on the day that it happened. On the second day when I was informed I
instructed her to file a First Information Report with the local police.
She did so on February 25, 2015
I reported the incident to our Vrindavan Temple President he sent his legal
assistant to deal with the local police. By Krishna's
grace the criminals
were captured within two days and legal proceedings have been opened against
them.
But, as events go in India, unless noise is made, they will simply pay a
bribe and be released.
I personally feel they should be hung to death.
What if someone tried to rape your 82 year old mother. What would you do ?
I request that more be done by the authorities of ISKCON in India for the
security of all of our members, especially for our
women.
Since Srila Prabhupada brought ISKCON to Vrindavan the population has
benefitted immeasurably.
Everyone;
the rickshaw puller, construction workers, the millionaire merchants in the
market, to the multi-millionaire government officials of Mathura District,
have all attained prosperity by the presence of the foreign ISKCON
vaisnavas.
Thus, I humbly request all of my friends on Facebook to contact your ISKCON
authorities and express your concern over the rape of this elderly woman.
Please request their good assistance, and the good assistance of the
authorities of the the Indian GBC Body, and the ISKCON Indian Action
Committee to appeal to all levels of the Indian government to:
1. Do whatever is necessary to increase the "all round security of pilgrims
to Sri Vraja Bhumi."
2. Insure a visible presence of literate policemen on the streets, markets,
parikrama, and
temples in Vrindavan ... one of the most well traversed
pilgrimage spots in India.
3. The government should establish a "Crisis Center" for pilgrims who have
experienced theft, abuse, or rape in the Holy Dham of Vrindavan.
4. It should become a mandate of the Government of India to clean the filth,
corruption, and perversion that have become prevalent in the holiest site of
pilgrimage in India, Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Though it has been many days since this attack I am still shocked by this
barbaric atrocity.
Thus , I humbly request all of you to assist. Your voice is important.
Request your GBC to make this their number one agenda item and deal with
this situation as soon as possible.
We should use every legitimate lawful device to request the Indian
government for more security in Vrindavan.
Before more of our female members are attacked, raped, groped, and molested,
and robbed in Sri Vrindavan Dhama.
Your angry, sickened and concerned servant,
BB Govinda Swami
