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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]All godmen are fake, says Kerala minister
17 May 2008, 1208 hrs IST*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gif,*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gifTIMESOFINDIA.COM
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]NEW DELHI: Religious figures across Kerala are up in arms against Devasom minister G Sudhakaran, after he pointed a finger at all godmen in state, labelling them as fake, according to a Times Now report. ( Watch )
Days after controversial godman Santosh Madhavan was arrested for molesting a minor and on charges of fraud, Kerala's Devasom minister G Sudkaran lashed out at godmen in a manner that is threatening to escalate into a huge row.
While attending a public function in the state, the outspoken minister labelled all swamis as "frauds".
"We should make these swamis wear clothes. They should start wearing clothes and we should teach them some decency... I am still saying that 90 per cent of them are all thieves and they are all fit to go to jails," he said.
Self-proclaimed spiritual groups in the state are not too pleased with this attack; the Devasom minister's comment they feel, is not only unwarranted but also in poor taste.
"These statements don't need any reply... How can a minister say that 90 per cent of the saints are not wearing their underwear? How did he know that? I shall not reply to those statements. I seriously think that these are immature and childish statements. These are emotive statements that are not factual at all," declared Rahul Easwar spokesperson of the Sabarimala temple's chief priest.
Santosh Madhavan the 'fake godman' stands exposed today. But the controversy and debate over the credibility of godmen and sanyasis continues in 'God's own country', with a section of the people even saying that all godmen should now be brought under some sort of scanner or public scrutiny.
While Sudhakaran's comment has spiritual groups up in arms, their leaders feel that the atheist Communist Government in Kerala is only using the fake godman controversy to undermine the significance of godmen and swamis altogether.
*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/All_godmen_are_fake_Kerala_minister/articleshow/3048495.cms
[/FONT]Indian 'guru' is held for fraud
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
AN Indian guru who allegedly duped his followers in Bahrain out of almost BD60,000 has been arrested by Interpol. Santosh Madhavan claimed to be a guru with supernatural powers who could see into the future. However, he allegedly pocketed money that he convinced Bahrain residents to hand over to invest in a tourist resort and a charity.
The 35-year-old, who is also known as Swami Amritachaitanya, is said to have visited Bahrain three times since 2003 on visit visas arranged by his followers here.
He is now in police custody in Kerala facing a string of charges including rape, drug
possession and fraud.
Reports from India say detectives raided his 16-suite ashram (divine centre) in Kochi on Sunday after several police complaints against him were lodged. The ashram was used as a guesthouse to accommodate his astrology clients, whom he claims included politicians, film stars, high-profile policemen and businessmen. Police reportedly found pornographic DVDs and magazines, drugs, alcohol and the pelt of an endangered tiger.
He has conducted talks and seminars at various venues in Bahrain and been honoured by Indian associations and leading community members.
"Santosh has come to Bahrain at least three times in the last five years," said one of his victims in Bahrain.
"Each time he was brought by some of his devotees who arranged for a visit visa.
"He held talks and seminars on spirituality at various places here - including Indian clubs and associations.
"He seemed to know how to attract listeners with his words and actions - you cannot be blamed for trusting him.
"He urged people to invest in a hill resort he was building in Kerala.
"He also made us believe that he is also a social worker and is planning to start a charity institution in Kerala. "People were asked to give him an amount that would be invested in the charity project.
"However, the investors were assured to get the money back whenever they asked for it, but without an interest amount.
"He told us that the interest from the invested amount would be used for the underprivileged.
"Many people parted with their money believing that it was for a good cause.
"Some people that I personally know gave BD1,000 while some gave BD5,000 and even up to BD10,000.
"He had thus managed to raise at least BD60,000 from Bahrain residents."
Indian media reported he had been on the run after being accused of fraud by Dubai-based Indian businesswoman Cerafin Edwin.
He allegedly befriended Mrs Edwin and conned her into investing around BD40,000 in a bogus hotel venture in Dubai.
However, as soon as she handed over the money he allegedly fled the city. She was unable to trace him until he resurfaced years later claiming as a guru calling himself Swami Amritachaitanya.
It is understood he was arrested in Kerala on an Interpol "red alert" issued on the advice of Dubai police in 2004. The net began to close in on Mr Madhavan after a magazine article revealed he was wanted by Dubai police on fraud charges.
Mr Madhavan was arrested on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody for five days after a bail application was rejected.
He has denied the allegations and initially said they aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Questions have now been raised as to how Mr Madhavan managed to build a property empire and socialise with political elite and top policemen while a long-standing Interpol warrant was out for his arrest. The police are also looking into the involvement of Indian Saifudeen Alikanu, aged 47, who served as Mr Madhavan's driver in Dubai. begena@gdn.com.bh
*www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=217565&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31057
17 May 2008, 1208 hrs IST*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gif,*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gifTIMESOFINDIA.COM
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]NEW DELHI: Religious figures across Kerala are up in arms against Devasom minister G Sudhakaran, after he pointed a finger at all godmen in state, labelling them as fake, according to a Times Now report. ( Watch )
Days after controversial godman Santosh Madhavan was arrested for molesting a minor and on charges of fraud, Kerala's Devasom minister G Sudkaran lashed out at godmen in a manner that is threatening to escalate into a huge row.
While attending a public function in the state, the outspoken minister labelled all swamis as "frauds".
"We should make these swamis wear clothes. They should start wearing clothes and we should teach them some decency... I am still saying that 90 per cent of them are all thieves and they are all fit to go to jails," he said.
Self-proclaimed spiritual groups in the state are not too pleased with this attack; the Devasom minister's comment they feel, is not only unwarranted but also in poor taste.
"These statements don't need any reply... How can a minister say that 90 per cent of the saints are not wearing their underwear? How did he know that? I shall not reply to those statements. I seriously think that these are immature and childish statements. These are emotive statements that are not factual at all," declared Rahul Easwar spokesperson of the Sabarimala temple's chief priest.
Santosh Madhavan the 'fake godman' stands exposed today. But the controversy and debate over the credibility of godmen and sanyasis continues in 'God's own country', with a section of the people even saying that all godmen should now be brought under some sort of scanner or public scrutiny.
While Sudhakaran's comment has spiritual groups up in arms, their leaders feel that the atheist Communist Government in Kerala is only using the fake godman controversy to undermine the significance of godmen and swamis altogether.
*timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/All_godmen_are_fake_Kerala_minister/articleshow/3048495.cms
[/FONT]Indian 'guru' is held for fraud
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
*www.gulf-daily-news.com/source/xxxi/057/images/guru.jpg
AN Indian guru who allegedly duped his followers in Bahrain out of almost BD60,000 has been arrested by Interpol. Santosh Madhavan claimed to be a guru with supernatural powers who could see into the future. However, he allegedly pocketed money that he convinced Bahrain residents to hand over to invest in a tourist resort and a charity.
The 35-year-old, who is also known as Swami Amritachaitanya, is said to have visited Bahrain three times since 2003 on visit visas arranged by his followers here.
He is now in police custody in Kerala facing a string of charges including rape, drug
possession and fraud.
Reports from India say detectives raided his 16-suite ashram (divine centre) in Kochi on Sunday after several police complaints against him were lodged. The ashram was used as a guesthouse to accommodate his astrology clients, whom he claims included politicians, film stars, high-profile policemen and businessmen. Police reportedly found pornographic DVDs and magazines, drugs, alcohol and the pelt of an endangered tiger.
He has conducted talks and seminars at various venues in Bahrain and been honoured by Indian associations and leading community members.
"Santosh has come to Bahrain at least three times in the last five years," said one of his victims in Bahrain.
"Each time he was brought by some of his devotees who arranged for a visit visa.
"He held talks and seminars on spirituality at various places here - including Indian clubs and associations.
"He seemed to know how to attract listeners with his words and actions - you cannot be blamed for trusting him.
"He urged people to invest in a hill resort he was building in Kerala.
"He also made us believe that he is also a social worker and is planning to start a charity institution in Kerala. "People were asked to give him an amount that would be invested in the charity project.
"However, the investors were assured to get the money back whenever they asked for it, but without an interest amount.
"He told us that the interest from the invested amount would be used for the underprivileged.
"Many people parted with their money believing that it was for a good cause.
"Some people that I personally know gave BD1,000 while some gave BD5,000 and even up to BD10,000.
"He had thus managed to raise at least BD60,000 from Bahrain residents."
Indian media reported he had been on the run after being accused of fraud by Dubai-based Indian businesswoman Cerafin Edwin.
He allegedly befriended Mrs Edwin and conned her into investing around BD40,000 in a bogus hotel venture in Dubai.
However, as soon as she handed over the money he allegedly fled the city. She was unable to trace him until he resurfaced years later claiming as a guru calling himself Swami Amritachaitanya.
It is understood he was arrested in Kerala on an Interpol "red alert" issued on the advice of Dubai police in 2004. The net began to close in on Mr Madhavan after a magazine article revealed he was wanted by Dubai police on fraud charges.
Mr Madhavan was arrested on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody for five days after a bail application was rejected.
He has denied the allegations and initially said they aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Questions have now been raised as to how Mr Madhavan managed to build a property empire and socialise with political elite and top policemen while a long-standing Interpol warrant was out for his arrest. The police are also looking into the involvement of Indian Saifudeen Alikanu, aged 47, who served as Mr Madhavan's driver in Dubai. begena@gdn.com.bh
*www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=217565&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31057
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