Goa is known to be a land of peace with communities living in complete harmony. Communal flare-ups based on differences in belief and ideologies are unheard of in Goa. The warm and welcoming nature of its people is known across the world and even got an Israeli acknowledgement at the ongoing International Film Festival. However, with the recent linkages to killings and terror and Sanatan Sanstha head-quartered in Ramnathi Ashram, Ponda, the State may have another story to tell.
This is the same Sanatan Sanstha which has been suspected of having a role in the recent spate of killings including that of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi, the Malegaon case and now the Gauri Lankesh murder. The 9235-page chargesheet in the Gauri case filed by the SIT comes up with startling findings. All 18 members booked in the case are stated to be members of an organized crime syndicate closely following guidelines and principles enshrined in Kshatra Dharma Sadhana “ a book written by the founder of the Sanatan Sanstha, Jayant Athavale.
The book identifies Gauri as a ‘Durjan’ and her speeches and writings were found to be against their ideology. The SIT claims that members of the group were inspired by Athavale’s book, and were also indoctrinated, trained in firearms and bomb manufacturing to create an atmosphere of fear. The probe team charged that there were no personal reasons for killing Gauri, the planning of which spread across five years. The Sanatan is alleged to have plans to eliminate 43 other rationalists and intellectuals in this country.
The outfit which proclaims to be imparting spiritual knowledge and providing spiritual upliftment is being linked to a series of murders which have happened solely on stark ideological conflicts. And the mere defence that none of its members were involved in the killings doesn’t absolve it of charges. It’s a cause for serious concern that all the 18 arrested in Gauri’s murder were found to be having connections with one or other Hindutva outfits linked to the Sanstha.
The charges against the Sanstha come as a blot to Goa since it houses its headquarters. The ashram’s preaching beyond the realm of spiritual upliftment have been visible and yet the political class, some of whom have been very intricately active in its activities, have continued to look the other way. Ashrams and religious congregations are always known to be transparent and open in their functioning.
The State government needs to come clear on the functioning of Sanatan Sanstha. People of Goa need to know who Athavale is and what his objectives are. We cannot accept the argument that what the Sanstha does behind closed doors is not government’s business. Goa needs answers over the political patronage extended to organizations whose names have been muddied with terror and killings.
Spiritual upliftment, meditation and peace go hand in hand and ideological differences, hate and crimes have no place in Goa. It’s time the government wakes up from its slumber to unearth the on-goings of the Ashram.
