Book on Mata Amrithananda Mayi a conspiracy against Hinduism : VHP

Phalgun Krushnapaksha 1, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) : Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday demanded the government to proscribe the book 'Holy hell: A memoir of faith, devotion and pure madness" written by a former inmate of Amritananda Mayi Mutt holding that its contents brought disgrace upon the spiritual leader.

Australian born Gail Tredwell, the author, was "instigated by an international agency with an objective to defame Hindu society and its spiritual leaders", VHP Chief Ashok Singhal told reporters here.

A massive congregation of leaders of Hindu religious outfits and heads of various mutts in the country would be held at Kochi on March 23 to chalk out further course of action, he said, adding, "defaming the Hindu leaders have to be stopped".

Tredwell, who had worked as a close aide of Amritananda Mayi for around 20 years, has alleged that she was repeatedly raped in the Ashram. In her book, she has accused Amritanata Mayi of keeping illicit relationship with her disciples. The book also implicates the Mutt of funds misappropriation and other financial embezzlements.

Criticising a section of media for 'playing up the news', Singhal said "the kind of seva(service) done by Amritananda Mayi Ashram is unparallelled in the history of the state."

"The current events are seen as a part of a greater national and international conspiracy against the Hindu Dharma. Few fundamentalist organisations, who are envious of Hindu Dharma, are behind maligning the image of our great Saints.

The book had triggered a row as it contained certain allegations and bitter experiences of Tredwell when she was an inmate of the mutt.

The mutt, headquartered at Vallikavu in Kollam district, had already denied the allegations and said its functioning was transparent and "it is an open book".

Source : New Indian Express