By Ashraf Padanna
Gulf Times
May 20, 2008
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=219411&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are some 50 self-styled 'godmen' in Kerala and almost all of them enjoy political patronage, according to a criminologist. "It's a crime syndicate. Fake swamis, politicians, drug pushers and money launderers all work hand in glove. It's an organised crime and is very difficult to crack," said James Vadakkumcherry, a retired trainer at the Police Training College here who is doing an extensive study on the subject.
Last week, one swami was arrested and charged with rape of minor girls, swindling money and producing blue films while another swami is behind bars after opening fire in a police station.
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| Amrita Chaitanya (left) and Bhadranandaji political patronage |
Yet another swami is on the run following media reports that he was a film director in his 'poorvashram' (life before becoming a swami) and was wanted by police for issuing dud cheques for Rs1mn.
"For them, it's an easy way to make money and they enjoy immunity as law-enforcers fear to touch them. The society's tacit acceptance of these fake swamis is an encouraging factor in promoting such illegal activities in Kerala," Vadakkumcherry told this newspaper.
Santosh Madhavan alias Amrita Chaitanya, the first swami to be in police custody, is said to have links with police officials too. Soon after his arrest, a deputy superintendent of police, who is believed to have shielded him, was asked to go on leave.
The second guru, whose antics inside a police station in Aluva were beamed across television sets on Saturday, is Himaval Maheswara Bhadranandaji, popularly known as 'Ernakulam Swami'.
He was taken to the police station after he threatened suicide. And in full view of the media, Bhadranandaji, with a pistol at his forehead, hurled abuses at the media for alleged negative publicity.
When police officials tried to stop him, the gun went off and a bullet whizzed past a reporter. In the ensuing melee, another shot was fired injuring Bhadranandaji.
Bhadranandaji is also believed to be close to politicians. He was reportedly present at the wedding of Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has said that the government would probe Bhadranandaji's links with politicians and police officials. He termed the police station fiasco as a "blot" on the police and the government.
He lashed out at the Congress-led opposition for remaining mum on the issue.
"This clearly shows that they are hand in glove with these fake swamis. Did they even arrest a swami in the five years they ruled the state, whereas we have arrested two?"
Opposition leader Oomen Chandy, while admitting to have met Bhadranandaji, said it was too early to comment on the matter.
"Things are just unfolding and it is the job of the police to inquire. Yes, I know the 'Ernakulam Swami' and I have taken part in one function to which I was also invited," said Chandy.
In the latest episode, a court has issued an arrest warrant against Swami Viswa Chaitanya, alias Sunil, in the cheque bounce case. Acclaimed actor Thilakan has also claimed that the former film director, who runs an ashram and has a large number of devotees in the northern Kerala, owes him Rs100,000.
Inmates of the ashram at Karanthur in Kozhikode told the police that Sunil was in Haridwar with his family.
According to reports, many fake swamis have already left Kerala and some even had gone abroad to meet to their devotees there.
The Kerala Atheists Association has submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan urging the government to investigate 58 fake swamis. "These godmen are misleading the people to make easy money. Most of them are school dropouts who claim they have powers to tell fortunes of others," its president U Kaladharan said.
T N Jayachandran, former additional chief secretary of Kerala, feels fake swamis surface due to the degeneration of society in general.
"When this happens, godmen make their presence felt because those who have power and money search for temporary peace through them. These godmen, in turn, exploit these high-profile people and use them to expand their base and fame," Jayachandran said.
Meanwhile, outspoken Kerala Congress (Secular) legislator P C George said a few self-styled Christian leaders have also surfaced in the state.
"Just like there are fake swamis in the Hindu community, there are a few Christian leaders who have formed their own private churches and are flourishing. The state government should certainly inquire about such leaders also," George said.
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