12-09-2007, 10:24 PM
<b>Ram to Krishna, CPM smells threat in Iskcon</b>
RABI BANERJEE
The Iskcon temple in Mayapur
Krishnagar, Dec. 7: The CPM in Nadia has described Iskcon
(International Society for Krishna Consciousness) as a "major threat"
to communists.
A document published on the occasion of the recent district party
conference says Iskcon helps "communal forces" like "the RSS and the BJP".
The Congress has been ac-cused of "hobnobbing" with the religious
group headquartered in Nabadwip, 100km from Calcutta, for support.
"Organisations like the RSS and some NGOs are fanning communal
passions in the district," says the document drafted by CPM district
secre-tary Ashu Ghosh.
"Our local leaders have been campaigning against Iskcon activities for
years. We have compiled information on Iskcon on the basis of reports
from our local leaders and sent it to higher authorities in the
party," Ghosh told The Telegraph.
In the chapter "Birodhi Shaktir Biruddhe Larai (Fight against
opposition forces)", the document says: "Iskcon-er bhumika kromosho
bipajjanak hoye uthchhey (The role of Iskcon is gradually becoming
dangerous)."
Ramesh Das, the Iskcon publicity manager, wondered "why the CPM has
branded us like this after ruling the state for 30-odd years".
He said several communist leaders like politburo member Sitaram
Yechury and Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar have not only visited
its temples but also stayed over. "We were delighted to host them."
Das added: "We want to convey for their (the CPM's) information that
we have devotees from all walks of life and from all over the world."
The CPM denied the claim about its leaders staying there. "I've never
heard of it," said veteran leader Benoy Konar.
The Nadia CPM had earlier accused Iskcon of acquiring around 500 acres
in Mayapur in the name of small NGOs to bypass the land ceiling law.
Acting on its report, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked his land minister
to conduct a probe.
Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah came to Nadia for the inquiry, following
which the government shot down the proposal for a Rs 500-crore vedic
village planned by Iskcon devotee and Henry Ford's grandson Alfred Ford.
The latest document, distributed among senior leaders of the district
during the November 30-December 2 conference, says Iskcon has become
an "agent of the Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP".
"It has established itself as a major force against communists here."
Party sources said the conference discussed the issue in the presence
of state secretary Biman Bose and industries minister Nirupam Sen.
RABI BANERJEE
The Iskcon temple in Mayapur
Krishnagar, Dec. 7: The CPM in Nadia has described Iskcon
(International Society for Krishna Consciousness) as a "major threat"
to communists.
A document published on the occasion of the recent district party
conference says Iskcon helps "communal forces" like "the RSS and the BJP".
The Congress has been ac-cused of "hobnobbing" with the religious
group headquartered in Nabadwip, 100km from Calcutta, for support.
"Organisations like the RSS and some NGOs are fanning communal
passions in the district," says the document drafted by CPM district
secre-tary Ashu Ghosh.
"Our local leaders have been campaigning against Iskcon activities for
years. We have compiled information on Iskcon on the basis of reports
from our local leaders and sent it to higher authorities in the
party," Ghosh told The Telegraph.
In the chapter "Birodhi Shaktir Biruddhe Larai (Fight against
opposition forces)", the document says: "Iskcon-er bhumika kromosho
bipajjanak hoye uthchhey (The role of Iskcon is gradually becoming
dangerous)."
Ramesh Das, the Iskcon publicity manager, wondered "why the CPM has
branded us like this after ruling the state for 30-odd years".
He said several communist leaders like politburo member Sitaram
Yechury and Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar have not only visited
its temples but also stayed over. "We were delighted to host them."
Das added: "We want to convey for their (the CPM's) information that
we have devotees from all walks of life and from all over the world."
The CPM denied the claim about its leaders staying there. "I've never
heard of it," said veteran leader Benoy Konar.
The Nadia CPM had earlier accused Iskcon of acquiring around 500 acres
in Mayapur in the name of small NGOs to bypass the land ceiling law.
Acting on its report, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked his land minister
to conduct a probe.
Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah came to Nadia for the inquiry, following
which the government shot down the proposal for a Rs 500-crore vedic
village planned by Iskcon devotee and Henry Ford's grandson Alfred Ford.
The latest document, distributed among senior leaders of the district
during the November 30-December 2 conference, says Iskcon has become
an "agent of the Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP".
"It has established itself as a major force against communists here."
Party sources said the conference discussed the issue in the presence
of state secretary Biman Bose and industries minister Nirupam Sen.