Announcement by Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj Regarding Swami Adhyatmanandaji


ANNOUNCEMENT

A few months back a lot of adverse publicity appeared in the media in both English as well as Gujarati languages about a scandal connected with Swami Adhyatmananda Saraswati of Shri Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh, Sivananda Ashram, Swami Sivananda Marg, Jodhpur Tekri, Ahmedabad, regarding his attempt at molestation of a young man in the privacy of his room. By this present Announcement we want to make it quite clear that the Ahmedabad Ashram though named Sivananda Ashram is actually not part of the Divine Life Society. But, it is conducted under a separate Trust, under the name of “Shri Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh”. It is run by its own Managing Committee under the auspices of Shri Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh.

A few years ago Swami Adhyatmanandaji was deputed to Ahmedabad to look after this institution on their request when its previous head Sri Swami Pavitrananda passed away unexpectedly by a sudden heart attack. At that time Swami Adhyatmanandaji was the only suitable person available at the headquarters especially as he was Gujarati language knowing and was himself a person from Gujarat. After taking his place at Ahmedabad Ashram as its spiritual head he has virtually taken over the control of all its activities. Also, his daily programme, personal activity in the Ashram, his tour within Gujarat and his programmes and schedules in different places,—all these have been carried on by himself without any reference to the Rishikesh Divine Life Society, Headquarters. Being of an independent nature he has not thought it necessary to seek guidance from Rishikesh Headquarters even periodically from time to time. Thus, having no connection with his activity, the Headquarters could not take any action when his misconduct at Surat was given wide publicity in the newspapers of Gujarat and even in one issue of “INDIA TODAY”. Nevertheless, the Divine Life Society Headquarters deeply regrets this occurrence by one of the Swamis belonging to the Rishikesh Sivananda Ashram Sannyasi family.

This is for the information and necessary action if any, of all people connected with Swami Adhyatmananda and concerned in the matter. As such Swami Adhyatmananda’s movements in Gujarat, his travel plans within India (and abroad) and his programmes and schedules are his own and not connected with the Divine Life Society Headquarters, Rishikesh, and we are not in any way involved in them. The Headquarters authorities are thinking of once again restricting his travels as they did two years ago soon after the first Global International Divine Life Society Conference of 1999 December end, held at Bombay, due to certain undesirable incident that took place there.

We pray that God may guide the erring.

Swami Chidananda
   

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