| Revision as of 10:53, 15 March 2016 editKenfyre (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users9,637 edits Reverted self-promo edits.← Previous edit | Revision as of 12:45, 15 March 2016 edit undoRishi Mano (talk | contribs)86 edits Undid revision 710169988 by Kenfyre (talk)Next edit → | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| | website = {{URL|sripremananda.org/}} | | website = {{URL|sripremananda.org/}} | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Prem Kumar''' (Nov. 17 1951 – Feb. 21 2011), better known as '''Swami Premananda''', originally from Sri Lanka, was an Indian ] who founded the Premananda ] |
'''Prem Kumar''' (Nov. 17 1951 – Feb. 21 2011), better known as '''Swami Premananda''', originally from Sri Lanka, was an Indian ] who founded the Premananda ] with free school and orphanage in Trichy, Tamilnadu. | ||
| ==Life and work== | ==Life and work== | ||
| Originally from Sri Lanka, Swami Premananda moved to India from ] in 1984 with his followers to |
Originally from Sri Lanka, Swami Premananda moved to India from ] in 1984 with his followers after his Ashram was burnt to ashes during the ]. The Srilankan ashram was named the ‘Centre of Peace for All Religions’, with symbols of every major faith painted on inside walls, it was a prime target for the mass religious and racial riots that erupted throughout Sri Lanka in 1983. The ashram was completely burned to the ground and everything in it destroyed. By this time, Premananda was taking care of many orphans and unwanted children, several of whom joined him in fleeing the country to begin a new life in southern India.<ref name=" Victim of Media">{{cite blog|author= Adam Parsons |title= Swami Premananda: Avatar behind bars|url= http://www.einterface.net/gamini/premananda.html|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> He founded an ] near ]<ref name=death/> in ], ], in 1989. The ashram serves as a shelter for all with special care for ] children. Many volunteers and spiritual seekers live and provide their selfless service in the ashram. The ashram has centers in many countries including the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Poland, Argentina, Ivory Coast, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, USA, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. These centers are place of spiritual practices, humanity, service and for cultivation of peace and harmony. It also has an international youth wing. | ||
| Earlier in his life, In 1969 while he was addressing some 200 people who had gathered to listen, his body began to glow and an ochre-coloured robe suddenly seemed to descend onto him. The saffron- or ochre-coloured garb is that of an initiated monk. At the time he was only 18 years old but from then onwards he became known as Swami Premananda where prema means "love" and ananda means divine bliss in Sanskrit. <ref name="Holy and Pure Man">{{cite Magazine|publisher= Share International |title= Swami Premananda - an avatar imprisoned "Truth will finally win"|url= http://www.shareintl.org/archives/religion/rl_Premananda.htm|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| Line 24: | Line 26: | ||
| ==Accusations and trial== | ==Accusations and trial== | ||
| In 1994 |
In 1994 various tabloid newspapers across India published stories claiming that one of the girls, Arul Jyothi, living in the ashram had 'escaped' and had said that she had been raped and was pregnant.<ref name="preg">{{cite book|author=Abraham Samuel|title=Laws of Hospital Administration|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLJ7-S4Th0AC&pg=PA22|accessdate=15 September 2013|publisher=BI Publications Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-81-7225-380-6|page=22}}</ref> However, Aruljyothi herself refuted these claims, stating that she and other girls had been beaten,tortured, stripped naked and sexually assaulted by the police in order to force them to make statements against the Swami. <ref name ="Justice">{{cite Blog|title= Justice for Premananda|url=<http://justice-for-premananda.org/aruljothi/|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> The ] intervened and took charge of many girls from ashram. On 15 November 1994, the police started an investigation. Another charge, that of murder, was added after the rape trial had begun. It was claimed that Premananda had murdered a young boy called Ravi in the ashram and had buried his body in the ashram grounds. However, a statement by former ashram resident Ella Combe,who was in charge of tending to Ravi by virtue of the medical training she had had, refutes this claim. In it, she states that Ravi was a severely mentally ill person, in the habit of self-harming himself and then rubbing his own faeces into his wounds. She further states that her fellow ashram inmate Lora Marsh was present at the time of Ravi's death, and that many people attended his funeral rites which took place in the normal manner. Lora Marsh made the following statement in her affidavit sent from the USA, dated 10th June 1995, which was filed in the court: | ||
| “When I saw Ravi’s body he was lying on his back in a sleeping posture which seemed to indicate that he had died quietly and alone, perhaps while at rest. I did not notice any bloodstains and his body showed no signs of having been beaten. I was one of the first to see Ravi’s body.” <ref name ="Framed Charges">{{cite Blog|title= Justice for Premananda|url=<http://justice-for-premananda.org/murder/>|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | The trial underwent in the sessions court in ]. A woman judge, R. Banumathi, presided over the trial. Noted criminal lawyer, ],<ref name=convicted/> was among the ones representing the Swami. The defence claimed that that the Swami had divine powers and was capable of performing miracles. The miracles included materializing ] and regurgitating small Shiva ]s. |
||
| ⚫ | The trial underwent in the sessions court in ]. A woman judge, R. Banumathi, presided over the trial. Noted criminal lawyer, ],<ref name=convicted/> was among the ones representing the Swami. The defence claimed that that the Swami had divine powers and was capable of performing miracles. The miracles included materializing ] and regurgitating small Shiva ]s. | ||
| ⚫ | Ram Jethmalani |
||
| ⚫ | Ram Jethmalani pointed out that the trail was unfair as witnesses and the accused had been subjected to police brutality.<ref name=YoungMan>{{cite news|title=The Angry Young Man|url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main12.asp?filename=hub062505the_angry.asp|accessdate=6 September 2015|work=]|date=25 June 2005}}</ref> | ||
| According to Ram Jethmalani, one of the most revered and brilliant senior advocates in India who defended the Swami’s case, the supposed ‘rape victims’ were illegally kept captive inside a single room, forbidden from seeing any family or friends until the end of the trial, and repeatedly stripped naked, tortured and beaten until they made false statements against Premananda. He later argued that a murder charge, added two months after the case began, was entirely “bogus”, a “legal joke”, and “a gigantic fraud on the law”.<ref name=" Victim of Media">{{cite blog|author= Adam Parsons |title= Swami Premananda: Avatar behind bars|url= http://www.einterface.net/gamini/premananda.html|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> | |||
| ] from the aborted foetus, the girl Arul Jyothi, and the Swami, established the paternity.<ref name=ghost>{{cite news|title=Holy ghost! Unholy fathers|url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main12.asp?filename=hub051405Holy_ghost.asp|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=14 May 2005}}</ref><ref name="preg"/> The murder victim's remains were also found buried in the ashram premises.<ref name=ghost/><ref name="DNAtoon">{{cite book|title=Scientoonic Tell-Tale Of Genome And Dna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToAonv_kNrAC&pg=PA113|accessdate=30 September 2013|date=1 January 2009|publisher=I. K. International Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-81-89866-60-0|page=113}}</ref> | |||
| ==Conviction== | ==Conviction== | ||
| The trial which was conniously fueled by sensational news in Media took the public by fire. A mass of sensationalist articles with dozens of further accusations quickly flooded the entire state of Tamil Nadu, all of which were based on undisclosed ‘intelligence’, anonymous sources, or simply the libellous hearsay of tabloid magazines. ‘Prems’, as they began calling the Swami, was deemed guilty before trial of gun smuggling, murder, conspiracy and fraud, of exporting marijuana, and even of fighting for the notorious Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger terrorists. While magazine sales rocketed, the initial charge of rape was added to by the dozen. Eventually 33 accusations were filed by the police, based entirely on the salacious media reports. Despite prolonged investigations and wild media speculation not a single shred of evidence was discovered.<ref name=" Victim of Media">{{cite blog|author= Adam Parsons |title= Swami Premananda: Avatar behind bars|url= http://www.einterface.net/gamini/premananda.html|accessdate=12 March 2016| }}</ref> | |||
| On 20 August 1997, the Swami was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined {{currency|67.3|INR}} ]s for 13 counts of rape, molestations of two girls and a murder. The failure to pay the fine carried an additional 32 years and 9 months. He was convicted for cheating the inmates of his ashram which carried another one year sentence. Six others were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit rapes and destroying evidence. Five of them were given life sentences. In view of the severity of the crimes, the judge denied them any future remission of their sentences or amnesty by any state or central government.<ref name=convicted/> | On 20 August 1997, the Swami was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined {{currency|67.3|INR}} ]s for 13 counts of rape, molestations of two girls and a murder. The failure to pay the fine carried an additional 32 years and 9 months. He was convicted for cheating the inmates of his ashram which carried another one year sentence. Six others were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit rapes and destroying evidence. Five of them were given life sentences. In view of the severity of the crimes, the judge denied them any future remission of their sentences or amnesty by any state or central government.<ref name=convicted/> | ||
| Line 40: | Line 46: | ||
| ==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
| In January 2000, the ] ordered that {{currency|36.40|INR}} ]s from the Swami's frozen accounts should be placed in a fixed deposit for the three years. The resulting interest should be paid to the victims as compensation.<ref name="fixed depo">{{cite news|title=Court directive on Premananda accounts|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/11/stories/04112235.htm|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=11 January 2000}}</ref> In April 2005, the ] rejected an appeal from the Swami. Ram Jethmalani, who was his counsel, pointed in the petition the continued support of his devotees even after the accusations came to light. |
In January 2000, the ] ordered that {{currency|36.40|INR}} ]s from the Swami's frozen accounts should be placed in a fixed deposit for the three years. The resulting interest should be paid to the victims as compensation.<ref name="fixed depo">{{cite news|title=Court directive on Premananda accounts|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/11/stories/04112235.htm|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=11 January 2000}}</ref> In April 2005, the ] rejected an appeal from the Swami. Ram Jethmalani, who was his counsel, pointed in the petition the continued support of his devotees even after the accusations came to light.<ref name="SC rejects">{{cite news|title=Jethmalani's charges 'disturb' top lawyers|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-06-03/india/27867369_1_life-imprisonment-sessions-court-ram-jethmalani|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=3 June 2005}}</ref> On 5 February 2009, the ] rejected a ] petition keeping in view the recommendations of the district sessions judge at the time conviction and the previous Supreme Court order.<ref name="MHC rejected">{{cite news|title=Premananda case: habeas corpus petition dismissed|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/06/stories/2009020660040700.htm|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=6 February 2009}}</ref> On 26 June 2010, the ] accepted the Swami's petition requesting three-month parole for undergoing medical treatment.<ref name=parole>{{cite news|title=Pass orders on Premananda's plea|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/article485589.ece|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=26 June 2010}}</ref> | ||
| ==Death== | ==Death== | ||
| Swami Premananda died on 21 February 2011 of acute liver failure, while being held in ]. He claimed he was innocent until his death.<ref name=death>{{cite news|title=Godman Premananda passes away|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139851/godman-premananda-passes-away.html|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=21 February 2011}}</ref> | Swami Premananda died on 21 February 2011 of acute liver failure, while being held in ]. He claimed he was innocent until his death.<ref name=death>{{cite news|title=Godman Premananda passes away|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139851/godman-premananda-passes-away.html|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=21 February 2011}}</ref> | ||
| ==His message and work after Samadhi== | |||
| The ashram which is run by devotees of Swamiji, are all inspired by message and life full of sacrifice and suffering of Swami Premananda, and continue to provide service to needy as well as atmosphere and opportunity for spiritual seekers from across the world. The faith of his devotees is so much that they continue to write letters to Premananda even after his death. The letters received are placed at his samadhi as they are considered Premananda’s personal correspondence.<ref name=MissionContinues>{{cite news|title=An Unholy Mess|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/11/24/An-Unholy-Mess/article2538624.ece|accessdate=12 March 2016|newspaper=]|date=24 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| Many service and spiritual programs are conducted with inspiration and blessings of Swami Premananda around the world. <ref name=followers>{{cite news|title=Swami Premananda Birthday celebration in Colombo|url=http://www.omlanka.com/Swami-Premanada-161114.html|accessdate=12 March 2016|newspaper=OMLANKA|date=16 November 2014}}</ref> The Swamy Premananda International Conference was held in Colombo in February, 2015. Delegates from many countries including Argentina, Belgium, France, Holland, Italy, Nepal, the UK, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, India and Poland participated in the conference titled “Swamy Premananda- A Living Force for Unity”. Dr. A.T Ariyaratne, founder of the Sarvodaya Movement was the Chief Guest at the conference held at ICTAD auditorium, Colombo. Minister of National Harmony and Integration D.M Swaminathan, and Chief Minister Northern Province Justice C.V Wigneswaran were the guests of honour.<ref name=conference>{{cite news|title=Swamy Premananda International Conference|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150405/plus/swamy-premananda-international-conference-142979.html|accessdate=12 March 2016|newspaper=]|date=05 April 2015}}</ref>. In 2016 July, an International Premananda Conference is planned to take place in Belgium, Europe. | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 12:45, 15 March 2016
Not to be confused with Premanand Swami.
| Swami Premananda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Prem Kumar Somasundaram (1951-11-17)November 17, 1951 Matale, Sri Lanka |
| Died | (2011-02-21)February 21, 2011 Cuddalore Central Prison, India |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | Spiritual guru |
| Website | sripremananda |
Prem Kumar (Nov. 17 1951 – Feb. 21 2011), better known as Swami Premananda, originally from Sri Lanka, was an Indian guru who founded the Premananda ashram with free school and orphanage in Trichy, Tamilnadu.
Life and work
Originally from Sri Lanka, Swami Premananda moved to India from Matale in 1984 with his followers after his Ashram was burnt to ashes during the Sri Lankan Civil War. The Srilankan ashram was named the ‘Centre of Peace for All Religions’, with symbols of every major faith painted on inside walls, it was a prime target for the mass religious and racial riots that erupted throughout Sri Lanka in 1983. The ashram was completely burned to the ground and everything in it destroyed. By this time, Premananda was taking care of many orphans and unwanted children, several of whom joined him in fleeing the country to begin a new life in southern India. He founded an ashram near Tiruchirappalli in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, in 1989. The ashram serves as a shelter for all with special care for orphan children. Many volunteers and spiritual seekers live and provide their selfless service in the ashram. The ashram has centers in many countries including the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Poland, Argentina, Ivory Coast, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, USA, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. These centers are place of spiritual practices, humanity, service and for cultivation of peace and harmony. It also has an international youth wing.
Earlier in his life, In 1969 while he was addressing some 200 people who had gathered to listen, his body began to glow and an ochre-coloured robe suddenly seemed to descend onto him. The saffron- or ochre-coloured garb is that of an initiated monk. At the time he was only 18 years old but from then onwards he became known as Swami Premananda where prema means "love" and ananda means divine bliss in Sanskrit.
Accusations and trial
In 1994 various tabloid newspapers across India published stories claiming that one of the girls, Arul Jyothi, living in the ashram had 'escaped' and had said that she had been raped and was pregnant. However, Aruljyothi herself refuted these claims, stating that she and other girls had been beaten,tortured, stripped naked and sexually assaulted by the police in order to force them to make statements against the Swami. The All India Democratic Women's Association intervened and took charge of many girls from ashram. On 15 November 1994, the police started an investigation. Another charge, that of murder, was added after the rape trial had begun. It was claimed that Premananda had murdered a young boy called Ravi in the ashram and had buried his body in the ashram grounds. However, a statement by former ashram resident Ella Combe,who was in charge of tending to Ravi by virtue of the medical training she had had, refutes this claim. In it, she states that Ravi was a severely mentally ill person, in the habit of self-harming himself and then rubbing his own faeces into his wounds. She further states that her fellow ashram inmate Lora Marsh was present at the time of Ravi's death, and that many people attended his funeral rites which took place in the normal manner. Lora Marsh made the following statement in her affidavit sent from the USA, dated 10th June 1995, which was filed in the court:
“When I saw Ravi’s body he was lying on his back in a sleeping posture which seemed to indicate that he had died quietly and alone, perhaps while at rest. I did not notice any bloodstains and his body showed no signs of having been beaten. I was one of the first to see Ravi’s body.”
The trial underwent in the sessions court in Pudukkottai. A woman judge, R. Banumathi, presided over the trial. Noted criminal lawyer, Ram Jethmalani, was among the ones representing the Swami. The defence claimed that that the Swami had divine powers and was capable of performing miracles. The miracles included materializing vibhuti and regurgitating small Shiva lingams.
Ram Jethmalani pointed out that the trail was unfair as witnesses and the accused had been subjected to police brutality.
According to Ram Jethmalani, one of the most revered and brilliant senior advocates in India who defended the Swami’s case, the supposed ‘rape victims’ were illegally kept captive inside a single room, forbidden from seeing any family or friends until the end of the trial, and repeatedly stripped naked, tortured and beaten until they made false statements against Premananda. He later argued that a murder charge, added two months after the case began, was entirely “bogus”, a “legal joke”, and “a gigantic fraud on the law”.
Conviction
The trial which was conniously fueled by sensational news in Media took the public by fire. A mass of sensationalist articles with dozens of further accusations quickly flooded the entire state of Tamil Nadu, all of which were based on undisclosed ‘intelligence’, anonymous sources, or simply the libellous hearsay of tabloid magazines. ‘Prems’, as they began calling the Swami, was deemed guilty before trial of gun smuggling, murder, conspiracy and fraud, of exporting marijuana, and even of fighting for the notorious Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger terrorists. While magazine sales rocketed, the initial charge of rape was added to by the dozen. Eventually 33 accusations were filed by the police, based entirely on the salacious media reports. Despite prolonged investigations and wild media speculation not a single shred of evidence was discovered. On 20 August 1997, the Swami was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined ₹67.3 lakhs for 13 counts of rape, molestations of two girls and a murder. The failure to pay the fine carried an additional 32 years and 9 months. He was convicted for cheating the inmates of his ashram which carried another one year sentence. Six others were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit rapes and destroying evidence. Five of them were given life sentences. In view of the severity of the crimes, the judge denied them any future remission of their sentences or amnesty by any state or central government.
He appeared unperturbed by the sentences and stated that "Truth will ultimately triumph" while talking to the media-persons.
Aftermath
In January 2000, the Madras High Court ordered that ₹36.4 lakhs from the Swami's frozen accounts should be placed in a fixed deposit for the three years. The resulting interest should be paid to the victims as compensation. In April 2005, the Supreme Court of India rejected an appeal from the Swami. Ram Jethmalani, who was his counsel, pointed in the petition the continued support of his devotees even after the accusations came to light. On 5 February 2009, the Madras High Court rejected a habeas corpus petition keeping in view the recommendations of the district sessions judge at the time conviction and the previous Supreme Court order. On 26 June 2010, the Madras High Court accepted the Swami's petition requesting three-month parole for undergoing medical treatment.
Death
Swami Premananda died on 21 February 2011 of acute liver failure, while being held in Cuddalore Central Prison. He claimed he was innocent until his death.
His message and work after Samadhi
The ashram which is run by devotees of Swamiji, are all inspired by message and life full of sacrifice and suffering of Swami Premananda, and continue to provide service to needy as well as atmosphere and opportunity for spiritual seekers from across the world. The faith of his devotees is so much that they continue to write letters to Premananda even after his death. The letters received are placed at his samadhi as they are considered Premananda’s personal correspondence.
Many service and spiritual programs are conducted with inspiration and blessings of Swami Premananda around the world. The Swamy Premananda International Conference was held in Colombo in February, 2015. Delegates from many countries including Argentina, Belgium, France, Holland, Italy, Nepal, the UK, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, India and Poland participated in the conference titled “Swamy Premananda- A Living Force for Unity”. Dr. A.T Ariyaratne, founder of the Sarvodaya Movement was the Chief Guest at the conference held at ICTAD auditorium, Colombo. Minister of National Harmony and Integration D.M Swaminathan, and Chief Minister Northern Province Justice C.V Wigneswaran were the guests of honour.. In 2016 July, an International Premananda Conference is planned to take place in Belgium, Europe.
References
- ^ Adam Parsons. "Swami Premananda: Avatar behind bars". Retrieved 12 March 2016.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Godman Premananda passes away". Deccan Herald. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "Swami Premananda - an avatar imprisoned "Truth will finally win"". Share International. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - Abraham Samuel. Laws of Hospital Administration. BI Publications Pvt Ltd. p. 22. ISBN 978-81-7225-380-6. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- Template:Cite Blog
- Template:Cite Blog
- ^ "Premananda gets life sentence". The Indian Express. 21 August 1997. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- "The Angry Young Man". Tehelka. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
- "Court directive on Premananda accounts". The Hindu. 11 January 2000. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "Jethmalani's charges 'disturb' top lawyers". The Times of India. 3 June 2005. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "Premananda case: habeas corpus petition dismissed". The Hindu. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "Pass orders on Premananda's plea". The Hindu. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "An Unholy Mess". The New Indian Express. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- "Swami Premananda Birthday celebration in Colombo". OMLANKA. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- "Swamy Premananda International Conference". The Sunday Times. 05 April 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Official website Official Sri Premananda website