Nithyananda disciples hold proxy press meet

Their sex scandal-tainted swamiji is still at large, so a press conference called by three senior followers of self-styled godman Paramahamsa Nithyananda on Monday turned out to be a proxy platform to clear some of the charges levelled against him.

Not only did they not answer reporters’ queries on the video flicks which allegedly showed Nithyananda in a sex romp with a Tamil actress, for the most part the three saffron-clad swamijis’ stock response was “no comments”. The press conference was organised at Nithyananda’s Bidadi ashram a day after the godman appeared in a video to proclaim he had done nothing illegal. All that Nithyananda’s press coordinator Nithya Sachithananda would say was that the secretly filmed footage showing the godman make out with Tamil actress Ranjitha was released to malign his swamiji and that it was executed with “surgical precisions.” Sachithananda said the “swamiji himself will appear to comment on all issues related to the video.” When asked when Nithyananda would appear to clear all charges, Sachithananda said the godman’s “personal security” was risk and so “we have advised him to come after a few days.” Pointing out that his organisation was consulting legal experts, Sachithananda questioned the technological knowledge of Nithyananda’s close aide Lenin Karuppan, alias Dharmananda, who is believed to have secretly filmed Nithyananda’s sexcapades in a room within the ashram premises. Asked whether the sting operation was the result of a land or finaincial deal gone awry, Sachitananda said “no comments.” Sachithananda claimed Nithyananda’s organisation has no branches in Sri Lanka and that the Bidadi ashram was built over “100 per cent legal and patta land.” He also brushed aside allegations of encroachment. Sachithananda claimed Ranjitha visited the Bidadi ashram as a devotee seven months back and attended meditation programmes. He challenged a 23-year-old woman who had earlier levelled charges of rape and sexual harassment against Nithyananda to identify herself and denied the allegations.

Nityananda addresses public through VCD

CHENNAI: “I have not committed any crime,” Swami Nithyananda claimed on Sunday, in his first public response to the video CD showing him in a compromising position with an actress.

Addressing his devotees in a five-minute VCD, copies of which were distributed to the media by his lawyer here, the Swami alleged that calumnies and rumours were being spread against him and the ‘Gnanapeetam’.

“While I am receiving email, phone calls and letters from devotees and friends, expressing their support and affection, I can see that they are worried and concerned,” he said.

Beginning his speech with an incantation, the swami - who was in his trademark ochre robe and turban - claimed that neither he nor the ‘Gnanapeetam’ had committed any crime.

Nityananda said he and his associates were in the process of gathering all information about the charges and rumours, the motive and mindset that were operating them and the actual facts.

Appealing to his devotees to remain calm and patient, he said he would soon come out with explanation and answers to all their queries. He asked them not to draw any hasty conclusions from the rumours and reiterated that he would open his heart to them in a few days.

The swami’s short speech, rendered in Tamil, did not make any mention of the sex video CD, aired by a Tamil channel, which caused a furore in the state and neighbouring Karnataka and triggered violent protests.