Times Live
Santham Pillay
THE South African Hindu Maha Sabha will be investigating claims of alleged sexually deviant behaviour by a Mauritian spiritual leader set to tour the country next month.
Swami Vishwananda, founder of the Bhakti Marga movement, is to visit Johannesburg and Durban during a four-day trip.
Since the early 2000s, Vishwananda has been plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct with young boys under his tutorship. He has never been charged.
The spiritual leader, who was once a disciple of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, also "materialises" vibhuti (sacred ash) and golden lingams (holy stones).
The most recent claims against Vishwananda were made in Poland in February.
Maha Sabha president Ashwin Trikamjee said although the Bhakti Marga movement was not an affiliate of the organisation, it would be investigating the allegations and, if found to be true, take up the matter at government level.
"We will carry out an investigation and, if correct, we will approach the organisers with a view to them cancelling the visit, failing which we will approach the Department of Home Affairs," said Trikamjee.
But the South African branch of the Bhakti Marga foundation, which will be hosting Vishwananda, has come out in support of the leader.
Swami Vishwachakradharananda, an official based in Kwadukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, who will be hosting Vishwananda, said the allegations were a "malicious attack" created to discredit the leader.
"Through the ages, in the time of Rama, Krishna and Jesus, many have sought to discredit those who have really come only to serve. Of course, Jesus was crucified.
"More recently, Swami Nithyananda, Swami Vishwananda and Sri Sathya Sai Baba are among those who have had accusations of various sorts levelled against them. Books have even been written, in some instances, deriding these great souls," he said.
He encouraged people who were doubtful about Vishwananda's spiritual power to attend one of his discourses before "judging" him.
Social anthropologist and cultural researcher Raj Govender called on local organisations to be cautious when engaging with spiritual leaders.
"Much research must be done to determine the credibility and impact these individuals will have on the local community.
"In recent times, we are plagued by the emergence of a number of swamis or spiritualists who are taking advantage of the vulnerability of our people," said Govender.
"However, the onus is on our organisational leadership to safeguard our people from these shenanigans."
http://www.timeslive.co.za/stextra/2014/09/08/swami-to-be-probed-over-claims-of-abuse
