Ensure punishment to criminals in holy robes

The mysterious death of Mahant Narendra Giri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, allegedly by his own hand, yet again proves that self-confessed devotion to God and spiritualism doesn’t make even religious leaders immune from greed and crime. The body of the 75-year-old Mahant Giri was found hanging from a fan on Monday at Prayagraj’s Baghambari Math — one of the country’s 13 main akharas, or monasteries — which he headed. The police found a suicide note, purportedly written by the mahant, in which he accused a disciple, Anand Giri, of harassing him. Later, the police found a video recording in which the mahant made the same accusation against Anand Giri. Though investigations are at a preliminary stage, it is evident that the two were at loggerheads over no spiritual matter — the control of the temple and monastery lands, worth hundreds of crores of rupees, seems to have been at the heart of the discord.

In May this year, Narendra Giri had expelled Anand Giri from Baghambari Math and Akhara Parishad. Following this, Anand Giri wrote to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister, seeking an inquiry against his guru of 20 years — he alleged misuse of the funds raised after sale of land belonging to the Baghambari Math, and also complained to the CBI regarding property belonging to the Math and Niranjana Akhara being sold off. Narendra Giri later forgave his disciple but did not allow him to return to the Math. Anand Giri, who has been arrested, is a man with a past — he was arrested in Australia two years ago after two women accused him of ‘indecent assault’ against them. The case against him was dropped after they chose not to proceed with their complaints.

Religious figures, enjoying unparalleled respect and devotion of their congregations, and the economic benefits that come along with heading religious centers, are often tempted by the ultimate sins of greed and lust. In recent past, we have seen this in the cases of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Asaram Bapu and Franco Mulakkal, the former Jalandhar Bishop who was accused of rape or sexual misconduct by multiple women. Investigation and assured punishment in this world, rather than the next one, may deter criminals in holy robes.

(Tribune, India)