‘Mob tactics’ at ashram slammed
A RIFT is brewing at one of Durban’s leading Hindu religious institutions.
Members of the Divine Life Society branch in La Mercy want the permanent removal of some board members who, they allege, are “immorally” engaging in relationships – an act that is against the mission’s policy.
A senior member of the society said these board members should not be in a situation to guide devotees, and should be removed.
But in a leaked audio recording of a meeting with devotees on Sunday, the branch’s president, Shri Vidyananda, accused disgruntled members of employing “mob tactics” to get their points across.
He dismissed the “wild allegations” and yesterday refused to comment.
A senior member who insisted on anonymity said: “The board of management selected within the ashram should be pure. Selection is very strict, and therefore members should behave accordingly.
“Everyone is prone to mistakes, no one is infallible, but they must accept discipline and resign. They have a blemish on their character, and can’t now guide devotees.”
Members are elected by the board, and devotees do not have a vote.
The member said he had met a board representative to air concerns, “but they just listen and do nothing. They will say ‘we will get back to you’ but the decisions still stand”.
Two other disgruntled members declined to speak to POST, but did acknowledge there were problems.
In the leaked recording, Vidyananda said internal investigations had found no evidence for allegations.
He said the board had sought an independent adjudicator who had found that allegations held no ground.
He said the board had held “constructive meetings” with many unhappy members, where “misconceptions were cleared”.
He alleged unhappy members were rallying support through a WhatsApp group, and held illegal gatherings.
The disgruntled member could not comment on these.
Vidyananda told devotees the ashram was growing positively and was receiving donations. He said it was “unfortunate” the unhappy group wanted to disrupt that.