Harekrishna 20th anniversary 2014

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How a campaign to save one temple united the entire Hindu community 20th Anniversary - March 2014

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United we stood for a just cause

T

he Hare Krishna Temple Defence Movement was launched when all the legal avenues to keep the Bhaktivedanta Manor open for worshippers were exhausted and the highest court in the European Union ordered to shut its door. This was 20 years ago.

It is appropriate that all of us celebrate together the 20th Anniversary of how the campaign to save the temple united Britain's Hindu community, garnered support from the non Hindus and non believers. It is not a victory celebration. The campaign succeeded because it was waged with total commitment to the peaceful and non violent means. It was very painstaking and expensive from the legal proceedings, but we must acknowledge that eventually both the local authority and the Central Government accepted the validity of just demands of Hindus and they, however belatedly, consented the right of the worshippers to visit the temple be unhindered.

This souvenir is published to celebrate such a historic landmark. It is a humble effort to recollect the gigantic contributions made by the community. It could perhaps help Hindus and other minority faith followers to realise how to work with united efforts and present their problems to the power that may be in this wonderful country.

This special issue is dedicated to those many thousand Hindus and non Hindus who took part in scores of events during the campaign. It is also dedicated to the understanding and acceptance of the villagers surrounding the Manor. This makes us all very proud that we reside in Great Britain. There were no losers in this campaign because it was not a war and ultimately everybody emerged as winners. The process of reconciliation is everywhere to be seen.

We are celebrating the launch of the souvenir on 20 March 2014 at a reception in the House of Common, hosted by the Rt Hon Keith Vaz, who was involved in the campaign at every stage. It is also befitting that Rt Hon Simon Hughes, Minister for Justice and Civil Liberties and Lord Dolar Popat, Government Whip and Lord in Waiting, who both helped the campaign will be present. It is also our humble tribute to the devotees of ISKCON especially the leadership at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. We dedicate most humbly to Lord Krishna, whose teachings inspire, energise and empower us and to the enormous contribution, the hardships, the sacrifices of those several thousands who took part in rallies, vigils, protests, outside the offices or residents of the local leaders as well as party head quarters in London, irrespective of the vagaries of the weather.

It is important to remember that not a stone was hurled in anger, no glass was broken. Even our oral slogans or placards completely refrained from violence or

rudeness or provocation.

It was unfortunate that the establishmentsof the Hertsmere council decided to prosecute the temple under misguided premises of noise and traffic. It was deeply saddening and hurtful, when they tried to justify their exaggerated claims by using racially motivated manoeuvres.

Thank goodness, since then so much water has flown under the London Bridge.

When some 12 representatives of the Hare Krishna Temple Defence Movement came to visit the Karma Yoga House (offices of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar), they had almost made up their mind to wind up the campaign as the European Court of Human Rights had turned down their repeated plea to keep the temple open for worshippers.

I must admit that before I promised my full support I considered the pros and cons very carefully. The HKTDM representatives pledged their total commitment to win this battle through peaceful and non violent means. They promised me that they will spare no efforts, they will stop not till the honourable objectives were met. We all were able to, as if, listen to the message of Lord Krishna, "Arise, Awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."

The objectives have been realised. It also gives us ample knowledge on how any problem of the believers should be handled. Purity of purpose, unity of action and the commitment to a peaceful and conciliatory approach, rather than confrontation is the most appropriate in all such difficult situations. Never suffer in silence, never surrender but give and take is very important to resolve any dispute.

I was doing my duty. My publications, my team members and my readers were able to serve His mission. I am grateful that so many put so much faith in various initiatives I proposed. I am most grateful for the help from one and all, above all those women and men, young or not so young, who sacrificed so much. They are the real heroes.

With utmost appreciation to all those who helped the campaign.

Yours in service of a vibrant faith tradition.

Hare Krishna, Jai Mata Di, Om Namah Shivaya CB Patel Publisher/Editor

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Editorial Index

Editorial Board

United We Stand by CB Patel..................P4

Contributing Editors:

Leading the ManorтАЩs Efforts by

Vinay Tanna

Messages by the Decision Makers ......P11

Radha Mohan Das

The Roots of Hinduism and Hare Krishna

Yogendra Sahu

..........................................................................P15 We can become instruments in GodтАЩs plans by Srutidharma Das ......................P18 The struggle to save the temple ..........P22 Tireless campaign that saved the temple

by Kripamoya Das ......................................P29 Glimpses of the Campaign: A pictorial journey-From 1986 to1996......................P31 Messages from the campaigners ........P45 Doing Time for the Manor

by Suresh Vagjiani......................................P62 Bhaktivedanta Manor: The Freedom that Flourished......................................................P64 Alls Well that Ends Well: Philip Marsh - a real gentleman ............................................P69 After the march, twenty years ago .............. ..........................................................................P70

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Publisher/Editor: CB Patel Managing Editor: Kokila Patel News Editor: Kamal Rao Consulting Editor: Jyotsna Shah

Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Editorial Executive: Tanveer Mann Chief Operating Officer: L George Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Business Manager: Alka Shah Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Business Development Managers: Rovin George & Urja Patel Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Customer Service: Ragini Nayak

Sponsors

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Kripamoya Das

Srutidharma Das

Akhandadhi Das ............................................P5

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Leading the Manor's Efforts

I

t is a great honour to write something for this in whatever capacity Krishna had allowed. commemorative magazine, marking 20 years Last year Bhaktivedanta Manor celebrated its since the deadline date of 16th March 1994 on 40th Anniversary and now we and the younger generwhich Bhaktivedanta Manor was due to close to ations can look to the next 40 years with optimism. the public. That was the day that the largest of Srila Prabhupada’s dream is being fulfilled and, as it the Campaign marches to save the temple took continues to unfold, there will no doubt be many more place. It was a day of immense significance to exciting pastimes for us all to experience. the Hindu community of UK. Many felt that their This magazine includes messages from VIPs and community had come of age. They had taken remembrances of the Campaign years which provide a action to assert their right to enjoy all the natural glimpse of what we were dealing with at that time. privileges of British life without government Many, many people were involved on all kinds of levels. interference.

It is simply not possible to include everyone; nor is it Srila Prabhupada’s mission was under threat, but possible to represent every single aspect of the our faith and conviction in him gave us the strength to Campaign. But, this magazine is an attempt to give the work hard and protect his Temple at all costs. Our readers a flavour of what happened and the energy and Campaign to safeguard worship at Bhaktivedanta feelings experienced by such a wide community of Manor is remembered today just as much as it was in devotees and supporters.

May 1996, when we learned that all our endeavours, everything we had been through together, had been Memories shared by Akhandadhi das: worthwhile.

The battle to save Bhaktivedanta Manor Together, we continue to remember the troubles and anxieties; and how, amidst such adversities, Lord Some stories of the Campaign say it lasted 10 years, Krishna reciproit actually lasted 23 years. It started in 1973, started cated with our when we first moved in. sincere prayers.

Bhaktivedanta Manor was established thanks Every person to the kind gift from former-Beatle George Harrison. who helped in From its early days, it began to attract many Hindu that Campaign, worshippers delighted to discover a beautiful Krishna in whatever temple so close to their new home in London. capacity, was Almost immediately, there was a strong reaction and remains a from local residents and the newly formed special soul, Hertsmere Borough Council to try to control visitors very dear to the to the Temple. Mukunda Maharaj was working hard Lord.

Once to counteract negative publicity and negative things again, saying people were saying about the Temple. ‘thank you’ is The first Enforcement Notice we received was simply not in 1979. At that time Hertsmere Council simply enough. wanted to stop all public worship. At that time, T h e r e Vichitravirya das was coordinating our legal defence were many and I was lucky to have been a junior assistant to C a m pa i g n him. We were fighting the same threat we were to marches and fight later on! It was actually Vichitravirya das who events throughwas the first to suggest that we should have an alterout the ten-year native access route the Temple, thus diverting traffic struggle, but Akhandadhi Das speaks to a crowd in front of away from the village. We walked the potential route the one in Bhaktivedanta Manor about the latest efforts to together and worked out that, to connect the back of save the temple from closure March 1994 the Temple’s land to Hilfield Lane, we had to buy was the largest pieces of land from two or perhaps three different and probably best remembered. 37,000 of us marched people. One of the landowners lived in the village and together for a cause that we knew was right. Unity was was staunchly against us, so at that time it looked like our strength and faith kept us going through dark the alternative access option was an impossibility. times.

We found ourselves in the village hall with the The Campaign and all its aspects is recorded as lawyers busily negotiating a deal. Finally, they came up one of the most exciting and amazing pastimes of with an agreement that they would allow us to continue Bhaktivedanta Manor’s history. It was my pleasure to to use Bhaktivedanta Manor for public worship providhave shared in your company and serve the community

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On the lawn at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Akhandadhi Das gives a rousing speech to the tired but happy participants who walked all the way from Wembley to raise funds

ing there were only six festival days in a year and on all other days we were not allowed to organise an event likely to attract more than a thousand persons. We considered that to be acceptable and peace seemed to descend on the village of Letchmore Heath.

That agreement was put into action during the 1980s and I was liaising with the Council, making sure that they were informed about the arrangements for our six allocated festival days. We actually enjoyed a very good relationship with the Hertsmere officers between 1981 and 1985.

In 1984, after the sale of our centre at Croome Court in Worcestershire, Bhaktivedanta Manor became again the main focus for ISKCON’s work in the UK. This entailed more householder devotees living in the area.

This was not a problem in itself, until several families purchased houses in Letchmore Heath. There were further raised eyebrows when some devotees took over the village shop. Local residents raised the alarm that ISKCON intended to take over the village and property prices would plummet. Action was needed. Fourteen letters of complaint were sent to Hertsmere Council and a Councillor who lived in Letchmore Heath and also happened to be the head of the Planning Committee took up the banner on behalf of the village residents.

Hertsmere applied for a court action against us because they claimed to have counted more than one thousand visitors visiting on some Sundays which weren’t one of the six festival days. When they presented the figures, it showed that they were counting white visitors separately from Indian visitors. Somehow or other they thought that was an acceptable practice!

At the High Court, the judge looked at our original agreement and commented that it lacked clarity. “Is it a thousand people at any one time, is it a thousand people spread over the day? This is the worst drafted agreement I have ever seen!”

It was a temporary victory for ISKCON, because we knew it wouldn’t end there. We then had negotiations with Hertsmere throughout 1986 trying to see whether there could be any proper agreement. But they didn’t want to budge – the temple must stop Hindus visiting on Sundays.

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20th Anniversary 2014

So, in January 1987, they hit us hard with the main Enforcement Notice, the one that was the subject of the main Campaign: they wanted us to stop all festivals and public worship – not just on Sundays! That would have meant basically the Manor was allowed to operate only as a small theological college for a maximum of fifty residents only, with no one else allowed into the building.

At that time, we didn’t have a Patrons’ programme, but there were stalwart devotees who later became the first Patrons. We called together a group of the most committed devotees including Ramesvara das and Harivamsa das. We asked how we should respond and, if we were to defend ourselves against Hertsmere, we would need substantial funds to pay our Campaign legal fees. They unanimously agreed to help!

A Public Inquiry was set for October 1987, but it was delayed in order to explore a mutual settlement which entailed finding an alternative site where we could establish a new purpose-built temple. This was a profound issue. We loved the Manor, we were settled here; but at the time, the offer seemed an opportunity to build something special for the Deities in the area.

A murti of Swami Prabhupada, was carried by the devotees along the entire 11-mile walk. Akhandadhi Das (right) urges the crowd on

Different potential sites were identified and eventually we decided on a 40-acre site on Dagger Lane owned by London Regional Transport and considered suitable for Green Belt development. So, in 1988, we submitted two planning applications: one to develop Dagger Lane as a new temple and community centre; and the other for the access road crossing St Bart’s Hospital land and the Wildmore land behind the Manor.

We had agreement from the Wildmores but not yet from the St Bart’s - but we put in the application anyway. Hertsmere refused the road almost outright but we only lost getting consent to Dagger Lane by one vote.

With no access road granted and no new temple site, we were forced into the Public Inquiry to test the Enforcement Notice. There was a second Public Inquiry the following February to appeal against the refusal on the Dagger Lane site. The decision for both Inquiries didn’t come through for another full year.

Just a couple of months before the decision was released, Sir Jay Gohel told a meeting of the Campaign supporters: “Nothing is irreversible in a democracy”.

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Pandava Sena & other youth regularly protested outside the entrance to the temple in the Letchmore Heath Village

Basically, he was politely telling us we were not going to get it. Another one of our supporters had met with the Secretary of State for the Environment – the effective decision-maker - Chris Patten MP. He was asked by the government “Will the Hindus riot if we refuse the Temple?” He answered honestly, “No they won’t”. This seemed to him to seal the Temple’s fate.

On the 16th March 1990 the government issued the decision that said that the Manor should close within two years and that they wouldn’t allow a new Temple at Dagger Lane! We appealed to the High Court but the court determined that there were no grounds on legal issues that could be considered. So, we then put our case to the Court of Appeal and that got refused. We didn’t have great hope in these appeals, but at least, the process brought us extra time. That final refusal was on16th March 1992 that determined that the two years notice for compliance with the Enforcement Notice would begin from then.

Bullock cart on the streets of London spreading awareness of the Manor campaign

This meant the deadline for the temple to close was 16th March 1994.

Coincidently, the day we were turned down at the Court of Appeal was also the first day of campaigning for the 1992 General Election and, on that day, Glenys Kinnock, wife of then party leader Neil Kinnock, came to visit the Manor to lend her support on behalf of the Labour Party.

The government had encouraged us to try to find an alternative site. But, other local Councils were afraid to have us. The best option that had turned up was a property near St Albans that was of interest, but it was

too expensive to buy the land and also build a Temple.

Guided by two senior devotees, Vicitravirya das and Abhirama das, I concluded that the idea of re-locating was too expensive and not in the community’s best interests. We would be better to focus our resources on getting the land to build the access road.

We had huge reservations about moving the Deities; and the Manor was extra special to us historically and spiritually because Srila Prabhupada had spent so much time here.

So, we then dedicated our whole effort to getting the land for the new access. We were assisted by one particular member: Venilal Vaghela who had contacts within the relevant committee of St Barts Hospital. St Barts used to own the Manor from the Second World War and up to 1972. They had run it as a nurses’ training centre and they still retained the field just behind our farm.

After lots of encouragement and negotiation, in November 1993 with our deadline looming, St Barts eventually agreed to sell us the strip we needed. My personal feeling at the time was that Radha and Krishna had intervened at the crucial moment. We now had the land and there was now no obstacle for us to put pressure on the government to grant permission for the road. They had no longer any excuse that the idea for the road was impractical or unachievable.

The closing date of 16th March 1994 was fast approaching and we needed to do something significant on that day. The 16th of March that year was a Wednesday, a difficult day to get people together.

Would we get the response we needed in the middle of the week? Would our community come out in support of the temple in the numbers we required to wake up the government to our cause?

We decided Wednesday 16th March was the day.

No other day had the same significance. We would trust our community to respond. We were to go to central London and to the heart of Parliament. This was to be the biggest demonstration of the Hindu community that Britain would ever witness. Our main campaign programme, The Hare Krsna Temple Defence Movement headed by Naresh Chadha along with stalwart Cllr Frank Ward led the charge. Inspired by C B Patel, the HKTDM and CB embarked on a Dharma Yatra in which they visited Temples and communities throughout Britain gaining support and commitment to send coaches to London for the march. The Patrons Council organised the logistics of travel, food and communication so that everyone attending the march was well looked after – and briefed on what they needed to do.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Pandava Sena were developing a name for themselves as enthusiastic campaigners.

Sure enough on 16th March 1994, 37,000 people gathered at Red Lion Square in Holborn and marched in a sea of orange scarves and protest banners to the War Memorial in Westminister. It was just incredible. To some observers it might have seemed a little militant – but we kept fully to our principles of dharmik protest.

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with CB Patel and his newspapers promoting the event and the Patrons Council organising the logistics and briefing our people. This time 8,000 temple supporters lined up outside Parliament in a queue up ostensibly to get in to see our MPs. However, when Big Ben struck 3pm, Frank and Naresh just walked straight out into the middle of the road! Everyone else followed and sat down and for an hour and a half that part of London was brought to a halt!

This was not a nice thing to do and we recognised the inconvenience and possible danger and trouble that were caused by our actions. But we did it because we needed to show that people were serious about the Manor. It’s actually an unfortunate aspect of political social life that unless you show strength people don’t From left Sir J K Gohel (behind), Shantubhai Ruparel, give you the credit that you deserve. So many times Secretary of State for the Environment - Chris Patten MP before I tried to convince MPs and religious leaders that and Akhandadhi Das you should encourage good behaviour not reward bad.

There was no anger; there was no violence or anything The Hindu community had never been known to take threatening. But I know the police worried that so many such direct action. The vast majority are model citizens. people with a cause on their minds was usually a forThey shouldn’t have had to pit themselves against the mula for trouble. But, I take pride in our government and police. Their community followed the mood of incredible contribution to British Gandhi. We were not violent, but we life should have been celebratwanted to show our absolute dedication ed by ensuring that they were to the injustice. not the victims of foolish local So, after a rally at the War prejudices and the abuse of Memorial, we announced: “now, let’s go government planning laws. to Parliament!” Everyone walked off to Meanwhile, Hertsmere still Parliament and we staged a modest sithad to determine whether the down on the road outside. I remember road was to be approved. A lot seeing everyone at the end of that day hung on that because technicalas they returned to their coaches. The ly on the 16th March 1994 the community was so proud of itself for Temple was supposed to close. what it had done. “We’ve never done Naturally the night before, there that before.” “We’ve never marched like was huge attendance at the that.” “We’ve never protested properly.”

Manor.

I witnessed devotees “We did it; we came together for this Pranabandhu das & Krishna Das Swami crying in front of the Deities. purpose and we have shown them the explaining the campaign to save strength of our conviction.” Everyone Bhaktivedanta Manor to Shri Rameshbhai Oza They were thinking: maybe this is the last time they can come was rightly so proud of themselves and to see the deities if not ever, at least for a long, long of what the Hindu community achieved that day. It was time.

But, the next morning, Hertsmere sent us a fax like finally coming of age. saying, “Well actually you could keep the Temple open We were so pleased with ourselves that two until we decide on the access road”.

So, because of the months later we decided to do it again. Again the impending application which to many impartial HKTDM had been the official ring-leaders of the event observers seemed such a sensible solution, they were relenting at the last second rather than forcing the closing of the doors.

Even the Hertsmere Planning Officers recommended the approval of the road. We had won over the Planning Officers, but, by then, the whole thing had become highly political. A majority of Counsellors refused the road! Unfortunately, the voting of the entire Council followed party lines. All but two or three Conservative councillors along with all the Lib Dems voted to reject the proposal and the planning offers’ recommendations. The full Labour contingent supported the Temple with an impassioned speech from their leader, Cllr Brian Stanley. And credit also to those Akhandadhi das showing a local politician around the Conservative Councillors who stood against their coltemple accompanied by Frank Ward

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Akhandadhi Das along with members of the temple on one of the many protests outside Parliament looking for 'British Justice'

leagues to vote for or abstain in the voting.

This meant that we again had to submit our appeal to the Department of the Environment. That appeal was heard in two parts, in February and June 1995. This, we knew, was the crunch Inquiry.

Fortunately, the inspector appointed to adjudicate seemed more amenable then the previous. He particularly liked Sruti and he later said Sruti was “his mate throughout the whole thing”. We actually had a very strong case: we had the land in hand and all the issues regarding the road seemed well thought out and prac-

days we’d signed the contract! They were very happy and, of course, we were very happy! The last practical obstacle had been cleared. Now, it really was just ion the hands of the government.

The final decision then went to John Gummer MP, Secretary of State for the Environment. We continued our campaigning in the meantime and were prosecuted at Luton Crown Court for holding the Janmashtami festival in the summer of 1995. I think I’m the only person in Britain today that has a criminal conviction for organising a religious festival!

In May 1996, the landscape of British politics was changing and we always had a very good relationship with the Labour Party thanks to the years of networking and campaigning by Frank.

The local Labour Akhandadhi Das being lifted up as he party had made it comes out of the Luton Crown Court their policy to supafter being Prosecuted for holding port us and to Janmashtami grant the road if they ever came to power.

I think we had assumed that hell would freeze over before Hertsmere would never change colour, but for a short period, from May 1996, it actually happened.

It became Labour controlled! Cllr Brian Stanley asked to meet with us to sort the issue out. Meanwhile, without our knowing, Naresh did something very interesting. He contacted the press and there was a clip on the ITV midday news saying “The Campaign for Bhaktivedanta

Protesters sitting on the road outside the Houses of Parliament

tical with minimal impact on other neighbours and road users. But, then they said, “Okay you’ve got the land for access but you haven’t got enough land for festival parking”. This was true.

So, whilst the Inquiry was going on, we went back to the Wildmore family and asked, “can we do the full deal. Let’s take all of your 40 acres!” Within a couple of

Akhandahi Das & Atmanivedana Swami join the thousands of supporters waiting outside Luton Crown Court after being prosecuted

Protestors stuggling with police outside the Houses of Parliament

Manor is taking a new twist. Hertsmere Council is now controlled by Labour and they are meeting with the members of the Temple…They might work out a new deal”.

The Department of the Environment realised the government would lose face with a refusal in the face of Hertsmere’s new complexion - so they suddenly

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The special soil conditions on the temple land allowed us to use an old but highly effective technique of lime stabilisation and the road was well built in record time

faxed over their decision. While we were meeting the Labour leaders at Hertsmere, I received a call from Tribhangananda das at the Manor who explained, “There is a fax just come from the DOE, I think it’s a decision letter…It’s a huge ream of fax paper!” “Wow what does it say?” He replied, “I don’t know. I think it might be good, but you really can’t tell clearly from these things.”

I then said: “Alright. Don’t say anything to anyone.

We’re on our way!” The whole team returned to the Manor to check through this mighty fax. Sure enough, they had granted everything we wanted: public worship, public festivals and the access road!

Our elation could not be described! There was some big celebrations and joyous kirtans that night!

But the road still had to be built before we could celebrate the Janmashami Festival just three months’ away.

To construct a new road 2/3 mile long so quickly seemed another impossible task, but again Lord Krishna smiled kindly on us. Our engineer realised that the special soil conditions on the temple land allowed us to use an old but highly effective technique of lime stabilisation and the road was well underway. The biggest delay was likely to be the changes required to the A41 – but amazingly, these fitted in with the Highways Authority schedule and were done within weeks.

The day before Janmashtami, a string of lorries poured out the chippings to complete the road to the Council officers’ satisfaction. The road was finished, the Temple was saved and, the next day, Janmastami could be celebrated without threat or worry.

There’s no doubt that this Campaign represents the best example of the ability of the Hindu community of UK to unite and dedicate time, energy and money to combatting an injustice against its own community. I apologise that in these few words, I have not given full credit to all those who took part and played such a crucial and significant part in the overall efforts.

I am particularly indebted to: C B Patel who was a constant and brilliant friend to us throughout the entire Campaign. His encouragement and ideas helped me on so many occasions.

Naresh Chadha and his team of the HKTDM kept the pressure on the government for six long years.

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Councillor Frank Ward was known as Arjuna for his steely determination to keep up the fight and never concede to defeat.

The Pandava Sena and the rest of the youth supporters brought a vibrancy to the Campaign and showed that our young people care as much for their culture and religious as the older generation.

The Patrons Council were the guiding intelligence of the Manor and they organised, steered, financed and facilitated the energies of the temple’s congregation into the Campaign activities.

I was constantly aware of the sacrifices, troubles and anxieties that were suffered by both the Temple’s ashram devotees and our congregation during all the years of the Campaign. And, it is wonderful that Lord Krishna rewarded all of them with the opportunities not just to continue their worship and service at the temple, but to be able to develop the facilities and programmes

The Patrons Council were the guiding intelligence of the Manor and they organised, steered, financed and facilitated the energies of the temple’s congregation into the Campaign activities

in so wonderfully.

And, I am especially grateful to my fellow devotees within ISKCON who were so active behind the scenes helping the temple to function in very difficult circumstances whilst also playing their part in the Campaign efforts.

In particular, my friends, Pranabandhu das and Srutidharma das were my most dear confidantes and aides. A friendship forged by walking through fire together lasts forever.

The Campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor from closure was the highlight of my life – not because of the prominence it gave; nor even because of the incredible result achieved – but because it allowed me the association of so many wonderful people and the chance to share a fantastic spiritual journey in the service of the Lord.

Akhandadhi das Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor 198295. Today, he speaks regularly on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day slot and hosts courses, retreats and other functions at Buckland Hall in Wales

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’m delighted to send my best wishes to worshippers, members and supporters of the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple as you commemorate the 20th anniversary of the campaign which helped keep this special place of worship open for future generations to use and enjoy.

Two decades on from the campaign the temple continues to thrive while providing a tranquil and spiritual place for people from all over the country to worship and visit. I was fortunate in being able to see Bhaktivedanta Manor for myself just a few years ago where I received an incredibly warm welcome that I will never forget. I recall its stunning beauty and peaceful atmosphere so I can understand why people campaigned so hard to keep it open.

But this anniversary doesn’t just remember the work of the Temple’s members and congregation – it celebrates the moment when thousands of people from different backgrounds and faiths: Hindus, Sikhs and Jains came together to help save a place of great importance to so many people.

David Cameron MP British Prime Minister

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am delighted to send my best wishes to all those who worship at Bhaktivedanta Manor as you observe the 20th Anniversary of the campaign to save the Manor. I know that the campaign reached across faiths, bringing together over 30,000 Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, including many members of the Labour Party.

As Leader of the Labour Party, I believe that our country’s great strengths lie in its tolerance for all and passion for equality. From this has flowed diversity, with people of all different faiths living side by side. The Labour Party I lead will remain a champion of religious freedom and equality.

I am proud that Bhaktivedanta Manor holds such a prominent place in British life and I look forward to seeing Bhaktivedanta Manor continue to grow from strength to strength.

Ed MiliBand Leader of the Opposition

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he victory of the ISKCON’s Campaign has gone down in British history as an event of great religious significance. The marches, protests, letters, meetings, the public inquiry process, indeed every stage of the Campaign was conducted with utmost dignity and integrity. We had never before seen the community act with such unity.

More so than ever, Britain is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. Freedom of worship is one of its foundations. The victory of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple led by its outstanding campaign ensures that the principle continues to remain a reality to all communities. (originally published 1996 in ‘Victory’) Keith Vaz MP Member of Parliament for Leicester East. He is the longest-serving Asian MP and has been the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee since July 2007. He was appointed as a member of the Privy Council in June 2006

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wenty years ago, Britain witnessed a momentous occasion. Over 30,000 people protested peacefully and made a simple request, that they along with many thousands of others like them, should be allowed to continue to worship at Bhaktivedanta Manor. The Conservative Government of the day rose to the occasion and since then the Manor has regularly attracted tens of thousands of worshippers on a regular basis.

As one of Britain's premier Hindu temples, practicing the world's oldest religion, the Manor is held in special regard by Hindus throughout the country and it's reputation has spread to the four corners of the world.

It is a place of spiritual comfort and peace: a place which countless people turn to in their moments of despair as well as joy.

From its difficult beginnings, Bhaktivedanta Manor is now very much part of the fabric of the nation. Long may it continue to prosper.

Shailesh Vara MP Member of Parliament for North West Cambridgeshire and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice

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Messages from the Decision-makers

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oday Bhaktivedanta Manor is one of the most revered and universally recognised spiritual institutions in the world. As well as being the main home of ISKCON UK, Bhaktivedanta Manor has ingrained itself in the cultural landscape of Britain. But it was not always so.

20 years ago, when the forces of prejudice and bigotry loomed, against overwhelming opposition from Hertsmere Council and the Government, 36,000 men, woman and children from all faiths and walks of life gathered in Westminster and spoke with one voice – Save our temple!

This momentous event turned the tide in the struggle and Bhaktivedanta Manor has since gone from strength to strength. It has been an honour and a privilege, as a Member of Parliament, to play a small part in its life and work.

ISKCON’s values of cleanliness of body and mind, mercy to all living things and truthfulness are values which carried it through its struggle in 1994. They are values that attract followers worldwide, values that live inside each of us and values that will still ring true years from now when future generations celebrate on this historic day.

Barry Gardiner MP Member of Parliament for Brent North since 1997.

A great friend and supporter of Bhaktivedanta Manor

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y early days in Brighton were associated with the Beatle’s generation. They were the flavour of my college days and as the pioneer of modern-day pop music.

But there was another side to the Beatles. Deeply enshrined in them was the spiritual need for peace in our unsettled world. This they found in their visit to Rishikesh in India. Mahararishi Mahesh Yogi provided the power of meditation. On their return to London George Harrison met the disciples of Shrila Prabhupada and through his donation a building was bought and is now universally known as Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertsmere.

This sleeping village and the local Council was at the centre of an epic struggle with the followers of the Hare Krishna movement.

The locals did not like number of visitors who attended the village for worship at Bhaktivedanta Manor. They didn’t like the number of cars that passed through the village for access to the Manor.

The Council objected to the building being converted into a place of worship. They applied for a closure on planning grounds.

Enter the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice and its fearless editor CB Patel. The Council’s attitude was a classic case of NIMBY (not in my back yard). The General Election was looming and a massive petition and demonstration convinced the politicians that the local Council was wrong.

I also took up the matter to ensure that discriminatory grounds were challenged by the then Commission for Racial Equality. Bhakivedanta Manor was saved.

It has continued to provide spiritual guidance and the powers of prayers to scores of Hindus who visit this place of pilgrimage.

Of course problems surface from time to time.

For example the RSPCA put to sleep one of the cows because they asserted it was suffering through old age.

Little regard was taken of the feelings of the worshipers and the fact the holy cow has a special place in their beliefs.

A high level meeting was arranged in my office and the RSPCA deeply regretted the action it had taken without proper consultation with the community. The result was a replacement cow was donated and an agreement was sought to ensure that agencies would liaise closely with the community on future occasions.

This is a brief synopsis of struggle for religious freedom in a multi-ethnic Britain. More importantly it is an example that obstacles can be overcome when community is united over a common purpose. May the Manor go from strength to strength to provide religious guidance to the generations of our children born here.

Lord Navnit Dholakia Liberal Democrat politician and the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords.

Lord Dholakia is one of the most senior Asian politicians in Britain

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Messages from the Decision-makers

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he Campaign to Save Bhaktivedanta Manor in the 1990s demonstrated just how important it is to our community. The Manor represents a haven of spirituality and tranquillity, a source of education and wisdom, and above all a place where we are all reminded of the power of our faith.

The Campaign to save the Manor marked an historic moment for British Hindus; the first time in Britain that Hindus had come together on mass to be heard. All sections of the community had come together and the Asian media in particular had played a pivotal role in getting the community’s voice heard. The marches and protests were unprecedented; no one had seen a campaign like it and it was a great testament to the importance of faith and prayer in Britain.

Twenty years on, we should use this anniversary to reflect on the important role the Manor continues to play in our community. At a time when so many in the world are persecuted because of their faith, I am proud to be a member of a Government that continues to defend people of every faith around the world. This anniversary is a timely reminder that this protection begins at home and we should continue to promote the practise of faith free from persecution everywhere we can.

Lord Dolar Popat In July 2010 he became a member of the House of Lords as a Life Peer and is the first Gujarati to represent the Conservative Party at Parliament.

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appy 20th Anniversary of the Campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor! Congratulations and I hope you have many more positive decades to come.

Glenda Jackson MP Former famous actress and Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Kilburn since 1992. She has given much moral support to ISKCON’s Food for All project which helps the homeless in north London.

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hen I was selected as the Labour Party Parliamentary candidate for Watford in 1995, I was already very familiar with the Campaign. As the daughter of Councillor Frank Ward, I had attended the Temple regularly from the age of 14, taking part in demonstrations and helping my father prepare his numerous communications to Hertsmere Borough Council and the local media.

I knew that many of the Hindus living in and around Watford placed huge value on their right to worship at the Temple but they needed politicians to defend those rights, not to attack them. I spoke at meetings at the Temple in support of the campaign, committing the local Labour Party to put its principles into practice by defending those rights. I regularly attended and supported the Watford Hindu Group events, where I already knew so many of the people from their visits to Bhaktivedanta Manor and their fight for justice.

The Labour Party has always promoted equality and protected religious freedoms , so I was proud when elected as the Member of Parliament for Watford on the 1 May 1997 to reiterate my support and that of the Labour Party to the on-going work of Bhaktivedanta Manor. The Campaign to Save the Temple had been won but the fight to make it a growing and valuable part of our local community continued. I was proud to work with the Temple over 13 years as Watford MP. The lesson we must all learn from this is not to sit back and wait for others to defend what we hold dear, but to recognise that fighting for justice is the duty of us all. May I wish Bhaktivedanta Manor and all those who worship there, many more years of success.

Claire Ward Member of Parliament for Watford from 1997- 2010. Amongst other roles, she advises the Labour Party on Hindu community affairs

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y brother Gopi and I were always confident of the success of Bhaktivedanta Manor. We said that wherever there is Lord Krishna there would be success.

How gratifying that the struggle that we all took part in was crowned with victory which was willed by Lord Krishna, but even the struggle was willed by Him as part of the process of victory. Let us, therefore, continue to be grateful both to our opponents as well as to our supports- both had their role to play.

The struggle helped Krishna Consciousness spread far and wide and brought together various spiritual organisations into a vibrant unity. (originally published 1996 in ‘Victory’) Shrichand P Hinduja Business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is considered one of the most successful Asians of the 20th century. He is the primary shareholder and chairman of Hinduja Group of Companies

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eligion is at the heart of civilization and however much we may differ in our beliefs, respect for religion is a crucial measurement of our respect for humanity. That was why I was so pleased to be able to play a part in the protection of Bhaktivedanta Manor, which has such special significance for so many people living within this country. Britain has a long tradition of tolerance.

But it is important to remember that tolerance is not a negative quality that merely allows and accepts. At its best it is a positive virtue, creating and enhancing the conditions in which those whose beliefs and attitudes you do not share feel safe and respected in holding them. I send you my very best wishes on the 20thanniversary of your successful campaign.

Lord Deben (formally John Gummer MP) Member of Parliament for Suffolk Coastal, now a member of the House of Lords. As Secretary of State for the Environment at the time, in 1996 he granted permission for the building of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s access road thus allowing it to remain open to the public.

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t was early March 1994. I was in Sridhama Mayapur in West Bengal, participating in the Annual General Meeting of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission, when I received a telephone call from Akhandadhi das at Bhaktivedanta Manor: “Maharaja! It looks like this protest march on Parliament will be enormous. Please come back.” Come back I did, practically from the airport straight to the march, a march in which almost 40,000 people came together in support of free access to Bhaktivedanta Manor.

It was a soul-stirring experience, reminiscent of Lord Caitanya’s march on the Chand Kazi some 500 years back. And it was an experience that caught the attention of the British government. The Indian community was united, and it was united behind ISKCON. Overnight, Whitehall understood what we had been explaining for years: the Krishna-consciousness movement represented India’s spiritual tradition and should be dealt with as any other religion.

And that is what happened. Despite earlier unfavourable decisions, government finally agreed that the worshippers of Radha-Gokulananda did have a right to access their temple. And it is that access road, Dharam Marg, that now reminds us all as we come for darshan, service, kirtan and pravachan, that when we co-operate together to serve Krishna we can emerge victorious despite all obstacles. That is the conclusion of the Gita. That was one of Srila Prabhupada’s final requests, “If you love me, you will co-operate to keep this movement together after I have gone.”

It was a privilege to have been part of the march: it was history in the making. To all those who were also there, thank you once again for that victory. I am sure the memory of it remains as sweet as ever. To those who were not there, take advantage of the opportunities the Lord gives us today to serve him unitedly. As ISKCON UK’s GBC at the time of the march I pray that Radha-Gokulananda may bless you all.

His Holiness Sivarama Swami ISKCON Guru, Sannyasi and Governing Body Commissioner (GBC) for the UK from 1986 to 2003. Today is responsible for leading ISKCON's mission in Hungary, Romania and Turkey.

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The Roots of Hinduism and ‘Hare Krishna’

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odern India is the largest democracy in the world, and with one billion and a quarter people, a rising star in the world economy.

Religion still plays an important role in the cultural and political life of India, and more than eighty-percent of the population refer to themselves as Hindus.

Bhagavad-gita Manuscript, Kashmir

Most denominations of Hinduism can trace the origin of their beliefs to the Vedas, a vast compendium of cultural, scientific, religious and philosophical texts written in the Sanskrit language. While ancient surgery, mathematics, phonetics and logic are all found there, the Vedas are mainly famous for their philosophical portions, known as the Upanishads, and their associated narrative and theological discussions, the Puranas.

Three philosophical texts form the foundation of most Hindu denominations. First there are the Upanishads, then a book of syllogisms drawn from them known as the Vedanta Sutra. Finally, there is the book which is found in every Hindu home, the Bhagavad-gita. The Bhagavad-gita itself is a dialogue comprising a few chapters of a much larger, historical work known as the Mahabharata.

All Hindus, wherever they are living, will usually have an abiding affection for stories from the

Mahabharata as well as two other much-loved scriptures, the Ramayana, and the Bhagavata Purana. The narratives from these three books have been enacted through theatre, dance, The Gate towers of the ancient temple paintings, sculpof Sri Rangam, Tamil Nadu, India ture, architecture, music and song - and now film and television - for thousands of years.

With its strong philosophical foundations and enduring narratives and ethical and moral values, the religion of Hinduism has persisted since ancient times until today. It is perhaps no surprise that its time-honoured ideas have now been discovered by the rest of the world.

The worldwide organisation known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness or

A scene from Indian epic Mahabharata

Shree Ramanujacharya (1017-1137)

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ISKCON, often known as the Hare Krishna movement, is simply the latest manifestation of this oldest of spiritual cultures. Brought to London in 1969 by its founder, the 73 year-old A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the movement now has six hundred centres around the world, seventy five of those in India, where it is, curiously enough, very appealing to the young generation and the traditionalists alike.

Although the movement is relatively new, the beliefs and practises are anything but. The ceremonial altar worship conducted in the temples can be traced Above left) Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, (1486-1534)

with scholars, politicians and religious leaders such as Guru Nanak, the original Sikh guru, as well as hundreds of thousands of villagers. His teachings, singing, compassionate nature and miracle healings made him a household name. He taught a unity of all devotional theologies, and explained that experience of one’s spiritual nature, and that of the Divine, could be had by reciting or singing any of the thousand names of God. His personal preference was the three word mantra consisting of the names of Krishna, the speaker of the Bhagavadgita and hero of the Bhagavata Purana.

The movement of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu continued to grow and develop throughout India for the

A scene from Indian epic ramayana

right back to the Pancharatra Agamas; the liturgy to the Yajur Veda; the rites of passage ceremonies to the Griha Sutras; and the now well known ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Rama’ chant to the Upanishads. ISKCON is also well known for its profuse distribution of the Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad-gita in more than one hundred languages.

But there is more: the members and supporters of ‘Hare Krishna’ are also part of a long devotional tradition known as Bhakti, a reformist movement well known for its egalitarianism and a refusal to accept many of the inequities of the caste system. Since the days of the great Guru Nanak saint Ramanujacarya in the 11th century, the Bhakti movement has reached out with compassion to those ignored by others. They argued that religious orthodoxy had its place, but never at the expense of the most vulnerable or needy in society.

This was the spirit that motivated the followers of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (14861534) the inspiration and social antecedent of the modern day movement. He travelled the length and breadth of mediaeval India, meeting

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Right: Draped in an exotic garland, Sir John Anderson (centre) is guided by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

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ensuing centuries. By the early 1930s the chanting of ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Rama’ and the sight of o ra n g e - c l a d monks was a common sight in every city.

O n January 15th, 1935, the B r i t i s h Governor of Bengal, His Excellency Sir John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley, (later to become the UK Home Secretary) was received in a grand manner in Mayapur, the historical home of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal, eastern India. His host that day was the spiritual preceptor of Chaitanya’s movement, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur Prabhupada.

Sir John Anderson, by all accounts, had an enjoyable day and was entertained with a fine dinner and a traditional musical performance of devotional songs.

It was the illustrious follower of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, A C Bhaktivedanta Swami, who was, thirty four years later, to bring the teachings of Shree Chaitanya to London. Due to his tireless energy, that famous chant now echoes in the city streets of the world, as well as in several million homes.

The chant was also echoing in the streets of central London on the 16th of March, 1994, when more than 35,000 Hindus, Sikhs and Jains from all over the United Kingdom came to protest the closing of the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple. It was the first time in 300 years, according to British academics, that the government had ordered the closure of a religious building of an otherwise peaceful, law-abiding faith. It was also the first time that Hindus had ever united to protest publicly in Britain – the first time that many of them knew they were even allowed to protest. But the urgency of the situation had left them with no other choice of action.

The teachings of the Bhagavad-gita have inspired many others to defend their rights, among them Mahatma Gandhi. The father of India read the Bhagavad-gita daily each morning and created his nonviolent resistance movement based, he said, on its teachings. In turn, Martin Luther King took inspiration for his peaceful civil rights protests from Mahatma Gandhi.

As we look at many problems in the world today, and propose various political and economic solutions, it may be worth also looking eastwards to the voice of an ancient civilisation. Many problems are human problems, either in their creation or solution, and yet there

are many that cannot be solved by mere social or financial adjustments. But small adjustments of perspective, of the priorities attributed to virtues and a deeper examination of the nature of human fulfilment, these can at very least be helpful. The long history of India and her great wealth of spiritual literature can certainly be an inspiration for the next generation.

“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity is of wonderful structure, more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin and more exquisitely refined than either.”

- Sir William Jones, British Orientalist

“It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way.” Dr Arnold Toynbee, British historian “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad-gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita.”

- Mahatma Gandhi "India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy.

Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.....Even across the Himalayan barrier India has sent to the west such gifts as grammar and logic, philosophy and fables, hypnotism and chess, and above all numerals and the decimal system...India will teach us the tolerance and gentleness of a mature mind, understanding spirit and a unifying, pacifying love for all human beings."

- Will Durant, American historian

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We can become instruments in God's plans

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hat a momentous occasion for the entire Hindu community here in the UK! Celebrating 20 years since an occasion that changed the direction for not just Bhaktivedanta Manor but much for all faith communities and their places of worship.

The motto I always remember throughout the 10 years of the Campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor was from Lord Krishna’s own words in the Bhagavad Gita: Mam anusmara yudhya ca... “Always remember Me, Arjuna, but at the same time fight”. So I think our principle throughout those many years was based on this that really somehow or the other we all have to remember Krishna through our devotion, through our seva and through our works.

The young men from the Hindu community who joined Bhaktivedanta Manor and helped fight the campaign

How can we remember Krishna? Krishna speaks of this in the Gita: Man- mana bhava mad- bhakto, madyaji mam namskuru... Four things He says Man- mana always think of Me, bhava mad- bhakto become My devotee, mad-yaji worship Me and mam namaskuru.

Four things that He asks us to do.

Nimitta matram bhava savyasachin, as we would always say in our Campaign days, that Krishna is going to make sure that the Temple remains open, that Krishna will make sure that we do have victory. So all of you, like Arjuna, have a choice to become an instrument. “Do you want to be an instrument in this Campaign to keep Bhaktivedanta Manor open?” we would ask. Krishna is going to do the work but do we want to become the instrument for doing that work.

Early Days: Trouble with the Council begins as Manor popularity grows I personally met Srila Prabhupada in 1977 and that gave me a deep conviction in Krishna Consciousness from then onwards, so I joined Bhaktivedanta Manor in 1978. I had been coming to the Temple since 1974 and

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over the years I’d seen the community grow. During the first few Janmasthamis everyone was on the front lawn, with a stage and couple of burners making chips! We would get a few thousand people maximum and it was therefore manageable. However as the years went by people were really attracted and numbers grew.

I knew there were some problems with the Council whilst the Manor’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1970’s and 1980s. Credit must be given that one of our national secretaries in the early days, Vichitra Virya das, had recognised the problem along with Akhandadhi das. So there was a public inquiry that was held in Letchmore Heath village hall.

It was agreed that “OK the numbers are growing but let’s restrict things. Let’s have 5 festivals over 6 days”. That’s what we were given at that stage and the numbers could be controlled as well. On any one day we could have a certain number of people but the 6 festivals were unlimited. That was something that was negotiated very well, otherwise we would have had difficulties.

In 1986 the opening of the village shop was something that led to some villagers being alarmed. The local store had become “Krishna’s shop” and that made some think “My God there will be more and more of them coming into the village!” After 14 villagers complained, the Council reacted by placing a caravan to record visitors to the Manor. But it was found out later on that they were counting the ethnic visitors separately, so this became a big issue of racial discrimination.

“If the Manor was not a Hindu temple would the Council have been more tolerant?” is a question that was often asked.

Raising Funds In 1987 the Council hit us hard: They wanted to close the Manor as a public place of worship! So the main Campaign began. As it took off, many funds were

Devotees preparing dinner for Anup Jalota's Diwali Night to raise fund to fight the Campaign

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needed and I want to thank all those people who contributed their hard earned money to save the Temple.

We raised fund in a variety of ways: One of the first ways was in 1987 when we had Anup Jalota: we organised a large event including bhajans. Events like that were hard work to organise, they very nice but they didn’t make that much money. Yet, they brought a greater awareness of the Campaign to many more people.

Marches to Parliament One of the main things is that we had many marches but one march was the largest and best remembered. On 16th March 1994, 37,000 people marched and unity was our strength and it represented remarkable support. People took a day off work, people shut their shops at midday and children took half a day off school. What a commitment, a hundred coaches came from throughout the UK!

Protestors making their voice heard outside Hertsmere Borough Council

time anyone had ever done that and we did stop the flow of traffic within the area. For nearly 2 hours the whole of central London was chock-a- block! At 3pm precisely the horns blew and everyone sat, as we had planned. A whole array of people were arrested including my wife! Then it was tremendous because Mike Wooldridge from BBC Religious Correspondence had come out because he knew something was going to happen. He reported live that “Hindus have done something that they have never done before…Indian ladies in their saris, elderly ladies are being dragged away!”

Our Leaders Of course there were many contributors for the whole Campaign to Save Bhaktivedanta Manor. Our General as we called him, was C. B. Patel of Gujarat Samachar / Asian Voice who headed up the Campaign specifically because he wanted the community to be united and he knew that he was in a good position to do it. Other voluntary contributors specifically were Naresh Chadha and Frank Ward of the Hare Krishna Temple Defence Movement (HKTDM) who worked tremendously throughout.

Rishi Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar Rishi Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar attended our earlier marches and that was a great boost to our Campaign. We had a sponsored walk in which we raised a £100,000. (a great amount of money in those days). Everyone, from young children to elderly took part not just in the walk but people made sure we had sufficient funds. We started at Alperton High School, we registered everyone and we started the walk and of course having Sunil Gavaskar and Rishi Kapoor we had to have bodyguards. Yet despite the fuss it was remarkable because both of them walked all the way. They didn’t have to, but they did.

The march began and we thought perhaps we would get maybe 10,000 people but the police and indeed everyone was shocked when the numbers swelled up to 37,000.

So I think it was the first time that Hindus in this country recognized the fact that they had to do something together. A temple could not be closed. It was one of the times that the Hindu community was so united because it could affect everyone in due course of time.

Everyone identified with it.

The memories were tremendous where we saw old, young of the faith, and those not of the faith gathering together, all converging. We had the Srutidharma Das & Rasik Mulji making final arrangements for the 11 mile walk Sikhs at the front supporting us, we had to raise funds Muslims that had come along, we had Jains and of course we had Hindus from every denomI think that was something tremendous that local ination. heroes for the Hindu community from India had come I remember 26th of May 1994 where we planned out to support us. It was 13 miles, a long walk, we that we would again be outside Parliament. In addition worked hard and about 10,000 people took part in the to the Pandava Sena, the Ram Sena had come along procession down Ealing Road in Wembley all the way and we all sat on the road outside Parliament! The first across to Kingsbury, Edgware and making their way up

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to Stanmore and arriving at Bhaktivedanta Manor. We had to get everyone fed there was a fantastic atmosphere! I do remember that we said that if anybody would like to sponsor someone to walk all the way back. In response Janak Radia walked all the way back for triple the amount of sponsorship money!

The Pandava Sena The youth group Pandava Sena was formed around that time and it was actually Ramesh Kallidai who had envisioned that we had to have a name for the youth fighting the Campaign. The youth group was formally known as the Manor Youth Forum but there was a variety of more appropriate names floating about. In the end we all agreed “Pandava Sena” was perfect.

The Pandava Sena at that time was an external body, it wasn’t part of the Manor. They organised themselves independently and they had their own office in Edgware. Every week they would be faxing, emailing Councillors and having candle vigils during their public protests.

The Pandava Sena used their imagination: every Sunday the Temple would lock the gate and at 7pm everyone would gather outside to have an arti on the Village Green. The powerful message was “either you have us in your village still having the arti every Sunday night, or keep the Temple open and we will go inside the gates”.

Seeking to explore all options for justice, the temple makes an application to have the temple’s case heard by the European Court of Human Rights

In the early days when we originally started, the MP for Hertsmere was Cecil Parkinson MP. He said that “Obviously the people are upset in the village because of noise and traffic but really the issue is property prices. Hence you should have an alternative access.

Make a route from the A41 straight on to the site”.

The bullock cart ride to deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street was quite a task because we had to get permission to get the bulls into central London. Nearing our destination, a group of devotee children accompanied the bulls. Nalind Joshi, working with HKTDM, helped to organise that spectacle with Naresh Chadha!

Political Campaigning and Petitions The ongoing Campaign needed funding and a couple of million pounds may have been spent with legal and Campaigning fees. The Patron Council really raised that and it was tremendous under the chairmanship of Dilip Patel. He and his dedicated team that worked very hard.

Bernie Grant MP for Tottenham who gave his support during the campaign

Mrs Glennys Kinnock, wife of the Leader of the Opposition, Neil Kinnock, being shown around Bhaktivedanta Manor by Srutidharma Das on the first day of the Election Campaign

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We had a variety of things going on and there were signatures at every festival, signatures from every individual not just here but from other parts of the world. We also sent a huge petition to the Queen which included 10,000 names in several boxes!

Whether it was the European Court of Human Rights or whatever it was, we backed it up with so many signatures. One highlight I very much recall was the fact that Neil Kinnock’s wife, Glenys, was the first person who came to the Manor who received huge media exposure: It reached the front pages of most national newspapers! I was asked to host her nicely and

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a coach and sharing our breakfast, lunch and dinner together.

What a family atmosphere that was created! Mr C. B. Patel noted that the Dharma Yatra idea worked really well.

Naresh Chadha Chairman of HKTDM makes a powerful speech outside BHaktivedanta Manor as we petition the European Court of Human Rights

Conclusion Specifically for the Campaign it was fighting for the right of every individual to visit Bhaktivedanta Manor. We were fighting for everyone’s right to go here and to establish it as a public place of worship. I think the 10 years struggle is a fascinating story in modern religious history where conviction, deep conviction, determination in the face of impossible odds, showing how a community came

it was quite tremendous because she was surrounded by many people, especially given that a General Election had just been announced.

The Dharam Yatra One of my great memories is the Dharam Yatra which was headed up by C. B. Patel, Balmukunda Parikh, Surendra bhai and Bimal Krishna das. Over 4 days, over an Easter Weekend we visited every Hindu temple and centre throughout the UK. It was a great principle of unity.

The Temples and the committees and community centres was where the Hindu heartbeat was. We wanted to make sure they knew what was going on at the Manor. Everyone had a sense of belonging and this was a turning point for

Celebrating Diwali 2013 in 10 Downing Street

Srutidharma Das greeting David Cameron PM Srutidharma Das along with members of the Dharma Ektaa Yatra team visited all Hindu Temples and communities across the UK in 4 days, rallying everyone to join them on the 16th March protest

together in a new land, united to defend their faith and they took on the government. It also shows that it was the starting point of how the community has prospered as a result of coming together and being so decisive in what they wanted to achieve.

Hindus in this country.

The person who kept us jovial during our tour was our driver Kuveri das, who made sure that we were all entertained!

It was a great atmosphere: all travelling together in

Srutidharma Das Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor and a Governor of the Avanti Schools Trust. He also sits on an advisory committee for ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC)

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The struggle to save the temple

T

he ten-year struggle to save a British Hindu temple from closure is a fascinating story of modern religious history. It is a tale of deep conviction and determination in the face of almost impossible odds. It tells of how the Hindu community, members of an ancient faith in a new land, became united to defend their faith, took on the government – and how they prospered as a result.

When a lone figure in saffron robes arrived at Heathrow airport in September 1969, no-one would have predicted that the elderly, exoticallydressed traveller, and the message he brought, would one day unite the hearts of tens of thousands of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in the United Kingdom. The elderly sadhu was A.C .Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who, at 73 years old, was arriving in England to begin his Arriving at Heathrow, Srila mission. He brought Prabhupada is met by hundreds with him deep devoof followers tion to his Lord Krishna and a lifetime’s scholarship of the religious classics read by hundreds of millions in India, the Bhagavadgita and the Bhagavata Purana. He had little money, and no institutional backing, but he had great inner strength and a deep desire to share the benefits of an ancient faith.

Originally from Calcutta, Bengal, in the east of India, he had first started his mission in another important city on the other side of the world from his birthplace in the sub-continent: New York. At that time the government of the USA had only recently relaxed 45 years of tough immigration laws, allowing him to enter the country. America was experiencing a unique period of its post-war history when prevailing norms were being challenged. The so called ‘counter-culture’ allowed many people, most of them young, to investigate new ideas and modes of expression, including the ‘wisdom of the east.’ Meanwhile, the Christian religious establishment was being challenged by the intellectual and theological findings of Vatican II, the three-year long series of council sessions of Catholic cardinals and theologians that resulted in fundamental changes to long-established Church thinking. The Pontiff of the day,

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Pope Paul Vl, had recently visited India, the second only visit of a pontiff to a country outside Italy for 150 years. A document was issued from the Vatican entitled Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions. In its pages the Pope declared: “In Hinduism men contemplate the divine mystery and express it...through Pope Paul Vl, the first searching philosophical pontiff to visit India inquiry. They seek freedom from the anguish of our human condition either through ascetical practises or profound meditation or a flight to God with love and trust....The Catholic Church rejects nothing which is true and holy in these religions. She looks in sincere respect upon those ways of conduct and of life, those rules and teachings which, although differing in many particulars from what she holds and sets forth, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.”

The teachings of Hinduism were thus declared worthy of greater respect by the Church, the young people of the West were interested, and the holy men were, for the first time, being allowed to travel and teach in the English language. Added to this was the not insignificant fact that four particular young English men, collectively known as The Beatles, had started a musical revolution with their popular songs. They were known worldwide and had a decided interest in all things Indian. It was A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s first American followers who met them.The Beatles had heard the L.P. recording of the Swami chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, they liked it and wanted to know more. And now he was in England.

The Hare Krishna Mantra So it was that John Lennon sent his Rolls Royce car to pick up Bhaktivedanta Swami at the airport, and the swami was taken to Tittenhurst, Lennon’s country home near Ascot. He was to stay there with a handful of followers for some weeks, talking to the famous musicians and encouraging them to try the effects of mantra chanting themselves. The result was the recording of traditional Hindu chants to modern music, something of a first in the British recording industry and an overnight success for the group now known as The Radha Krishna Temple. Of all the Beatles, it was George Harrison who took up the devotional practises seriously,

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‘the pearl of Africa.’ In the railway towns, sugarcane and reciting the ‘Hare Krishna, Hare tea fields, thousands created a new life for themselves, Rama’ mantra preserving their ancient culture and religion. Many of daily on his woodthem were worshippers of Krishna, and right there in en beads. He Africa they built temples and observed their customary learned from the festivals. Three generations passed.

Swami and wrote By the 1960’s British colonialism in Africa had all songs such as My but died. It was a new era that saw difficulties as Sweet Lord based nations unravelled back into fierce tribalism or dictatorion his teachings. al regimes. A military coup in Uganda saw the BritishThe number of educated Idi Amin seize control. By 1972, in a bid to George Harrison sits with members of devotees of wrest control from the successful Asian business com‘The Radha Krishna Temple’ who had Krishna, mainly munity, he gave the entire Indian population of Uganda just released the chant as a single young and English a mere 48 hours to leave, allowing them to take only a by birth, began to swell rapidly. It was George Harrison few possessions. As British passport holders, a legacy who first suggested that the Hare Krishna movement should have a house in the countryside. By 1972 the devotees had outgrown their London base in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, and a much bigger house was required, somewhere where they could train new members in traditional puja before sending them out to start new temples around the country. (s03) The search ended in rural southern Hertfordshire, a place far from the bustle of the city, but just on the borders of London, some 20 miles out, and not far from Edgware and Stanmore. It was a large, Mock-Tudor house built in 1883 and set in seventeen acres of undulating parkland and woods. It had its own lake and Srila Prabhupada sits with devotees on the lawn at Bhaktivedanta Manor Victorian gardens and was situated within the small, traditional village of Letchmore Heath. Little did anyone know that this very location, of Britain’s long rule in East Africa, almost 100,000 peoselected for its seclusion and tranquillity, would become ple, exiled from the land they knew as home, arrived at so popular with Hindu families that within a decade a cold and drizzly Heathrow airport. At the time, it was they would be coming there in the thousands. But that one of the largest man-made movements of people in history. Many of them eventually settled in different is another story of the movement of the Indian people parts of England, such as Preston, Birmingham and and the Hindu faith.

Leicester, but a large proportion found jobs in London, some finding homes south of the Thames in Croydon, Hindu Exodus but many more settling in the north-western suburbs of Southall, Wembley and Harrow.

During the 19th century the British rulers of India sent workers from the western state of Gujarat across the Indian Ocean to East Africa, another of their colonies.

Their principal employment was as supervisors and managers of native Africans engaged in the construction of the railway from the port of M o m b a s a through to Kampala, in what On a cold and drizzly morning, the is now Uganda, first Hindus arrive from Uganda

The message of the Dharma is honoured by Sikhs, Jains and Hindus alike

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As they struggled to come to out to others in their community to share the terms with living in a new and good news of the Gita. Why were so many colder climate, feelings alienated Hindus attracted to a group of English converts and dispossessed, and with very – relative newcomers to Krishna worship? One little resources or facility for comreason was the kirtans (singing and chanting in munity worship, the news reached praise of the Deity), the religious dramas, the them of a country house where the festivals, and the clear teaching that, although Hindu religion was practised, they had been exiled from their homes, Lord where their faith was understood Krishna was still available for them, even in this and where they could worship at a Lord Krishna is invited during new land. (s07) shrine of Krishna. They could take the ‘Praan Pratistha’ or installation ceremony their children there and at least be A Growing line of Pilgrims able to pass on something of their faith to the next generation. The English converts to Krishna, however, knew Attendance to the weekly Sunday services and annual very little of Hinduism and had not yet begun to reach festivals continued to climb. In 1979 the attendance at out to the local community, let alone the north London the biggest festival – Janmashtami - reached an all-time suburbs. Yet the two communities, as different as they record of 3,000 people; but by 1985 the festival attractcould be in many ways, but linked by a mutual affection ed some 30,000 worshippers over two days. A large for Krishna, were living only ten miles apart in outer circus tent offered an all-day programme of religious London. It was only a question of time before they met. music, traditional dance and theatre, and it was around In 1975 at Bhaktivedanta Manor, as the donated this time that the festival became known as ‘the biggest country house came to be known, the annual celebraoutside India.’ Such a growth in popularity did not go tion of Lord Krishna’s divine appearance in this world, unnoticed, however, not least in the village of the festival of Janmashtami, attracted a mere 240 curiLetchmore Heath. 2,500 cars and buses filled with pilous Hindus from the London suburbs of Harrow, grims passed through in a line that stretched back to Wembley, and Southall. A display of books, some Hendon, five miles away. home-made badges and key chains, set up on three dinIt was a curiously un-British situation. Although in ing tables under a few plastic awnings on the front lawn India pilgrims can visit any shrine they wish, in as great - this was the sum total of the facilities arranged for the a number as they wish, it is not the same in the British guests. However, from this early beginning, the resident Isles. Laws laid down in the years of religious dissent have created a country where public worship can only be conducted at government-approved sites. And when a nonChristian religious shrine becomes popular in a chocolate-box English village in the middle of the Green Belt it was bound to cause a stir.

And stir they did. Only about fourteen villagers filed the original complaint, but that was enough. By 1986 the local council had hired people to count the number of ‘ethnic visitors’ coming to the Manor. An official caravan was lodged permanently outside the Manor gates. The wheels of litigation began to turn. The local council agreed with the handful of villagers and forRas-Garbha on an English lawn: and early Janmashtami fetival bade public worship at Bhaktivedanta devotees at the Manor continued to reach out to their Manor. No more visitors, no more festivals. The Manor Hindu neighbours throughout the next few years. They was to be a private monastic dwelling and theological conducted devotional singing and scriptural discussions college with worship for its residents only. It was, in in their homes and in halls; created newspapers and effect, an edict to close the temple completely to the magazines dealing with spiritual subjects; and initiated public. successful summer camps and youth clubs for their By this time – the late 1980s - the Hindu commuchildren. At a time when the Hindu community was just nity all over Britain knew and loved the Deities at the finding its feet, the devotees of Krishna at the Manor Manor. They knew the story of the saint, Srila were a supportive and trusted walking stick.

Prabhupada, who had lovingly installed Krishna upon Attracted by the happy, enthusiastic atmosphere the shrine and they felt that again their community’s and gorgeous altar worship, the Hindu community aspirations were being thwarted by another heavybecame further involved and offered substantial finanhanded government. There had to be a solution. cial and volunteer support. They in their turn reached In January of 1987 the local government issued a

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7,000 Hindus walk 11 miles in a show of support

new Enforcement Notice to stop all worshippers attending the temple. The temple appealed to the national government’s Department of the Environment. The November appeal hearing adjourned in order to allow time to negotiate a solution based on building a new temple to relocate public worship nearby. On the local Hertsmere Council’s suggestion, the Manor applied to build a new temple on land close to the nearby village of Elstree. Yet after suggesting this solution, the council then changed its mind and refused planning permission for it. The Manor had no alternative but to appeal again.

Thousands of well-wishers and old friends began to hear about the campaign to save the Manor from closure. Internationally famous cricket hero Sunil ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar and Bollywood film actor Rishi Kapoor headed up an 11 mile sponsored walk from Wembley to the Manor. Thousands of pounds were raised for legal fees that day.

But in 1990 the Department of the Environment announced its decision. There was to be no new temple and worship and festivals at the Manor had to stop within two years. The temple had no option but to appeal the decision to the High Court. 2,000 attended a demonstration held in Trafalgar Square. Politicians Thousands of Well-wishers came out in support of the Manor. The Manor was getting national attention.

The Manor also came up with a novel solution, a soluTemple president Akhandadhi Das was invited by tion that, although expensive, would create a solution both BBC and ITV to sit on a broadcasting consultative that could be a resolution for all: an alternative driveway body monitoring standards of religious broadcasting. that would lead all traffic to the Manor from the back of Popular singer Boy George released his Bow Down the property. Linking with the A41 the new road would Mister in the spring of 1991 and the devotees made allow the vehicles to bypass the village completely. So numerous television appearances.

The Manor’s QC, Sir the Manor also applied for permission to create this Graham Eyre, argued in the High Court that the original peaceful solution. The council refused this enforcement notice was ‘ambiguous,’ solution. The temple appealed but later and in October the devotees protested withdrew the appeal as the land over at the Conservative Party Conference, which the road could be built had not yet again attracting media attention. been secured.

Academics who knew about religious In November of 1988 came the first issues were not slow to come forward public enquiry on Enforcement Notice to help.

Together with faith leaders they appeal, followed, in February 1989, by a came to a London conference to second appeal on the council’s refusal of defend the temple, saying that it was the building of a new, purpose-built temple the first time in 300 years that a govin another location. By this time, the camernment had threatened to close a paign to keep the temple open needed an place of worship.

According to the injection of new funds. Repeated court Hindu tradition, the sacred images of cases and public inquiries were expensive Looking for British Justice: Keith Lord Krishna and Rama, once installed, affairs, so the temple began a series of Vaz MP and shine a light outside and particularly by a saint, cannot be Parliament inventive fund raising events.

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moved. The Manor was therefore a holy place.

But in 1991 the High Court turned down the appeal. This was followed in March 1992, by the Court of Appeal refusing to hear the case. It ruled that the Manor had to cease as a public place of worship and a place where religious festivals were celebrated. It had two years to comply and the temple had to close its gates in the spring of 1994. The clock was ticking.

In response to its pressing need for an alternative solution, the Manor decided that a new driveway was still the only viable way to go. It was an ambitious idea, and the road would need to be one kilometre long, but it seemed the only way to achieve a peaceful solution.

So it launched the ‘Saviours of the Temple’ campaign to raise funds for purchase of neighbouring land and construction of a road. In this, the community had great hope. The required land had not changed hands since 1540 and the land was now firmly in the Green Belt.

In February the newly-launched youth group Pandava Sena began Sunday public gatherings for worship outside the Manor on the village green. The local villagers suddenly experienced what could happen if the Manor was closed to the public: that people would continue to come, just to be close to their shrine.

Glennys Kinnock, the wife of the Leader of the Opposition, Neil Kinnock, visited the temple early in 1992. The Labour Party made a very public show of support, and the visit was widely reported in the national newspapers.

An Indian Bullock-cart lumbers through London On a rainy day in March, accompanied by eight policemen, a traditional Indian bullock cart, pulled by two sturdy oxen and loaded with 30 children, slowly lumbered its way past the Houses of Parliament to Downing Street. There, the children presented a 6,000 signature petition to the Prime Minister.

Sensing that it had to explore all options, the tem-

made a prayer that at least this court would hear them.

On the 17th December, 1993 a planning application submitted to Council for use of Manor for worship and festivals on the basis of the new access driveway.

But on the 16th March, 1994 the ‘two years’ was up and a shrine to Lord Krishna had effectively just been closed by the British government. Incensed by the underhanded treatment of its faith, 36,000 Hindus, Jains and Sikhs came to London from all over the country to march in protest. 150 coaches were parked all along the Embankment and Red Lion Square, where the march began, was filled to overflowing. The column of protesters stretched over two miles long and wound its way to a park near the Imperial War Museum where the huge crowd was treated to some stirring speeches.

The media and the politicians were quick to take note.

Something was troubling peace-loving Hindus. Surely there must be a solution.

In April the European Commission of Human Rights claimed it could not accept the temple’s case because of technicalities concerning planning laws in the UK. In May a large march again took place, this time with 10,000 people. Although the numbers were smaller, they came in small groups to lobby their MPs and then at the stroke of Big Ben they all sat down in the road outside Parliament, completely blocking the traffic.

It took 127 police over an hour to bring everything under control and get London’s rush-hour traffic moving again. Old women singing devotional bhajans were unceremoniously dragged off by the police. It was an image that did not go unnoticed by the numerous newspaper photographers and television cameramen gathered there. BBC Radio 4 broadcast live with their religious affairs correspondent, Mike Wooldridge, stuck in the middle of everything and animated to be experiencing something quite unprecedented. The next day the newspapers had stories, and photographs, of frail, elderly Indian ladies being taken away by burly policemen. The media loved it and the publicity ran for two days.

Prosecution

The protest march begins. 35,000 process through Central London

ple wanted to see if their case could be heard by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Launching its application with speeches and the release of colourful balloons from the front lawn of the Manor, beneath the fluttering flag of Hanuman, the community

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On the 4th of July an all-party group of MPs visited the Manor, and on the 12th the local Hertsmere Council announced that it had deferred its decision ‘until September or October’ and the temple could remain open until then. In August the Manor appealed to the Department of Environment on the grounds that the local Council had failed to determine the application for the new driveway. In the same month, 24 Letchmore Heath villagers wrote a conciliatory statement in the form of a letter to the Council. They had had enough and wanted a solution.

In October the BBC’s Everyman programme broadcast the documentary The Road to Hare Krishna, choosing the devotee’s plight out of ‘hundreds of other stories.’ It was watched by a large audience of millions nationwide. But on the 19th October, the Council reject-

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ed the temple’s proposal to form a new access drive and decided, instead, to prosecute the temple for holding that year’s Janmashtami Festival.

Meanwhile, down in South Africa, a country of 700,000 Hindus, Nelson Mandela addressed a huge Diwali crowd at Bhaktivedanta Manor’s sister temple in Durban. Some weeks later, on a visit to India, he again met members of the community from England and asked them to convey his best wishes for a successful outcome to the case. The president’s opinion on the racially-charged situation of the Hindu community and the local government was to prove helpful later in the campaign.

On the 17th of January, 1995 a public inquiry began to hear the temple’s appeal to the Department of the Environment. It was adjourned after four weeks.

The temple president, Akhandadhi Das, appeared in the local Watford Magistrates Court for ‘staging a religious festival.’ It was decided that, with all the local publicity, there was no chance of a fair trial in Watford, and the court case was moved to Luton. Young Hindus, born in the UK and angry at the very idea of a priest being taken to court for his religion – their religion - staged a defiant protest march through London. In May the public inquiry recommenced. It was to conclude after a hearing of 28 days. Local people, Hindu experts and faith leaders all gave evidence. Academics weighed in and testified that the Krishna shrine was indeed a legitimate Hindu shrine and very important for an ethnic minority in these isles. What’s more, according to Hindu religious law, it could not be moved or closed. Christian ministers and members of other faiths demanded that the government practise tolerance; and Asian politicians, barristers, doctors and a host of other professionals all wrote persuasive letters. And devotees everywhere prayed.

Nelson Mandela’s ‘Surprise and Disbelief’ But the Manor could not wait for the outcome. It pressed ahead with plans for the new road and purchased a strip of land from the owners, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, plus 36 additional acres of farmland. The South Africa connection continued on the 9th of July as local councillor, Frank Ward, spoke to 6000 delegates at the World Hindu Conference in

Frank Ward meets Nelson Mandela in South Africa and asks for his help to keep the temple open

South Africa. There, he met with Nelson Mandela who again expressed his ‘surprise and disbelief’ at how the government was treating the temple issue.

On 30th October the case against the temple for holding the Janmashtami festival in 1994 was held at the Crown Court in Luton before a judge and jury. There is a large demonstration outside the court. The following week, the judgement is made: the temple is fined £30,000 plus costs of £7,184 – more than ‘£37,000 for praying’.

Krishna Avanti School, Harrow

Yet in the same month, the very person who was prosecuted for observing a religious festival, Akhandadhi Das, became the first Hindu representative to make a Thought for the Day broadcast on BBC’s Radio 4.

In May 1996, in a seismic shift that could easily be interpreted by the Hindu community as being of divine origin, Labour took control of local Hertsmere Council.

Just days later, on the 10th of May, in what does not seem to be a coincidence, John Gummer MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, and a Conservative, announced the result of the Public Inquiry. It was a victory – a stunning victory - for Bhaktivedanta Manor.

Additional land was purchased and immediately work began on the new road.

But time was short, and building a road, landscaping the new entrance and configuring it with the public highways all had to be completed before the upcoming Janmashtami Festival.

An expert was found in Wales who could finish the entire job in time for the festival. Luckily, on examination of the soil, it was discovered that it had a high proportion of sand and clay.

An old Roman technique, whereby lime is added to such soil would form a good foundation and a firm footing for the tarmac surface. As luck would have it, the civil engineer working on the A41 was also a Hindu and volunteered to install the traffic lights at the junction with the main road. It was completed in record time and Krishna’s birthday was celebrated on the 5th of September with great jubilation.

As a very helpful conclusion to the entire story, the Crown Court reduced the prosecution fine from £37,000 to a mere £5000.

After the Campaign The media, always sensitive to the swirling eddies in the river of popular culture, responded to this growth in

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stature accorded to ISKCON by its prominence in the lives of British Hindus. How could they not, confronted with the depth of religious emotion in thousands of people, and a normally staid, law-abiding, British Hindu community having shown themselves willing to be arrested for the cause of keeping a ‘Hare Krishna’ shrine open for worship? Indeed, once the media had reported: “Hindus are outraged by the government threat to close their shrine in the Hertfordshire countryside,” it was unlikely that the English converts, ‘the Hare Krishnas,’ would not then be permanently, and deservedly, linked with Hinduism in this country.

Due to the sustained media coverage and the perspectives voiced by politicians, academics, and faith leaders, the campaign allowed the greater public to contextualise ISKCON, the Hare Krishna movement, to be part of a much broader tradition of Hinduism.

From this one success of defending its right of worship, and a certain knowledge of the methodology of such defence, the temple in Letchmore Heath has gone on to defend the rights of others.

Together with the Indian High Commission, Westminster MPs, and faith leaders, ISKCON has championed the freedom of worship of Hindus in

The Royal visit to the first state Hindu School: Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip listen to children sing at the Krishna Avanti School, Harrow The ten year long struggle of the Hindu community to defend its right of worship had ended in success. More than this, it had given Hindus in the UK a voice. It was the first time that Hindus had come out to protest against unfair treatment – the first time they realised that they could protest. The concerted and prolonged campaign succeeded also in galvanising local Hindu organisations, stirring them up to greater action and achievement.

There was a new confidence within the Hindu community. The campaign had forged a unity and, with it, a restored sense of Hindu ethos and a national recognition of the faith of Hinduism. Bhaktivedanta Manor , the Indian temple in an English village, certainly became even more popular because of the campaign. Now everyone seemed to have heard of it, and young Hindus everywhere wanted to become associated with the temple the entire Hindu community had saved. The campaign, through absolute need, also gave birth to national bodies such as the Hindu Council and the Hindu Forum of Britain. Launched during the campaign the Council and the Forum went on to do great work in representing the specific views and needs of the Hindu community nationally.

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Russia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and other countries where degrees of religious freedom are not enjoyed.

Even in India the campaign in the UK helped to stimulate a revival of Hinduism. Curiously enough, in the land of India, ISKCON has brought a new freshness and clarity in the teaching of Hinduism.

There is a resurgence of the understanding of the benefits of the Hindu ethos and as a result many hundreds of thousands are discovering t hat Hindu values remain relevant, even in a thoroughly modernised India.

In the UK, the Hindu community has many reasons to be happy with a Hindu resurgence. Temples are rising up or enjoying facelifts, and interest and education in the Hindu faith continues to grow. For the first time in this country, there are now Hindu faith schools supported by the government started by the chairman of the very youth group that sprung up in protest at the closure of the temple. The campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor from closure was a significant period in the history of Hinduism in this country, and even in the history of Hinduism in the world. It is right and fitting that we remember it with this commemorative magazine.

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Tireless campaign that saved the temple

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eteran newspaper editor CB Patel was passionately involved in the campaign to save the temple from the earliest days in 1986. He threw himself into vigorous campaigning and remained tireless in his determination throughout the entire ten years duration. From the outset he identified the situation not merely as a planning issue for one organisation, but as a challenge to the dignity of all Hindus: “I knew the temple since I met Swami Prabhupada back in the 1970s. He did a great thing. I agreed with their values and they were providing a valuable service for Hinduism in the United Kingdom. I wanted to live in Britain with my head held high as a Hindu. The government threat to close Bhaktivedanta Manor – first by the local government and then by central government - that threat was a sign that the entire Hindu community, and our way of life, was being misunderstood and sidelined.

I had to take action.”

Using his expertise as editor-in-chief of both the English language Asian Voice and the Gujarati language At the Khat Muhurt Vidhi of Dharam Marg: L to R Gujarat Samachar, C.B. Patel began to appeal to his Kripamoya Das, Ramesh Kallidai, CB and Frank Ward.... large, national readership. He informed them of the sitJains, Sikhs, Muslims – to make their voice heard. We uation taking place in Hertfordshire, educated them as asked them to write to their MPs; lobby them in to the religious, ethnic and legal issues involved, and Parliament; write letters to the media; hand out leaflets then spurred them into action. Over the course of the – whatever they could do.” next decade he CB Patel says that the support at Asian Voice was gave over an entire not conditional: “We were passionate about it. We page in his weekly wanted everyone to be united in helping this cause. We newspapers to knew that if the community had not spoken with one keep the communivoice there would be little chance of success.” ty updated at every During the many years of the campaign, as the twist and turn of struggle to keep the historical temple open went the long campaign. through its many stages, C. B. Patel used his large net“There were work of friends and supporters to gradually garner 300 Hindu temstrength and publicity for the cause. He button-holed ples and faithfaith and community leaders, and local and based organisaWestminster politicians. He telephoned Asian industrialtions in the country L to R: CB, Balmukund Parikh and a ists, English civil servants - and even Indian diplomats.

Punjabi supporter going for public at the time. Our No-one in his address book was exempt. The Labour meeting near 10 Downing Street community has so Friends of India group was formed at Bhaktivedanta many faith tradiManor because of the campaign. tions. But the community was not united; it required a On 3 February 1975, in a letter to Patita process of education, and I saw it as my duty to inform Uddharana das, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami acknowledgmy readers and to ask them to please get involved in ing the on going relationship with Asian Voice and saving the temple.”

Gujarat Samachar wrote, As the most well-known communi“Your column in the Gujarat ty news editor in the country, CB Patel Samachar is a great way to knew that this one cause – to save a preach Krishna flagship Radha-Krishna temple – was Consciousness to the vitally important for the future of the Indians there in London. entire community: “I was thinking: ‘This They will become very cause cannot be lost. We cannot allow much familiar with our this to happen,’ and so myself and my ideas and goals by reading staff at the two newspapers did everyDharma Ekta Yatra: L to R: Surendrabhai Patel, it regularly.” thing in our power to appeal to the CB, local leader of the temple, Chhotabhai CB came up with British Asian community – Hindus, Limbachia and Shrutidharma Das

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many original and headline-catching ideas to capture the interest of the public. Whether it was the ‘Searching for British Justice’ with Keith Vaz and fellow MPs holding candle-lanterns in broad daylight outside the House of Commons, or ‘Fasting for Justice’ outside the offices of Hertsmere Borough Council in a freezing blizzard, the ideas kept coming. And then, when the closure of the temple looked likely, ‘C.B.’ had his greatest and most heart-stirring idea: the 1994 Protest March. It was a simple idea but curiously, one that the Hindu community had never, ever, done before. Most of the community didn’t even know they were allowed to march, let alone protest – in the middle of London.

CB recalls: “So we went on a Dharma Ekta Yatra, a pilgrimage you can call it, around all the Hindu tem-

CB, Keith Vaz and other leaders with lanterns

MPs and then, at the stroke of Big Ben, 10,000 sat down in the road, bringing traffic to a standstill in Parliament Square!

“But, you know, eventually, at the end of 1995, everything was against us and most opportunities had been exhausted. We had used up all our legal avenues and had done as much publicity as anyone could have done. However, that was not the time for giving up; that was the time for another big push.”

What was the secret of persuasive journalism?

C.B Patel shared his secrets of the campaign: “We appealed to people’s sense of pride: this is your religion in trouble here, the religion that your forefathers followed and protected through all kinds of situations in India and Africa. It is something you want to preserve Supporter and participant of Dharma Ekta Yatra: L to R – for your children. Let’s all preserve it together and hold Shrutidharma Das, Vipin Aery, Kaveri Das (fourth from left) our heads up in this country. Secondly, we appealed to Chhotabhai Limbachi (Preston), Balmukund Parikh, CB, their sense of fear. If the government do this – which Neel Madhav Das, Akhandadhi Das and Surendrabhai Pate temple will be next? What temple will be safe? We were not trying to frighten anyone needlessly; ples in the country, asking the this was a dangerous situation where the leaders to mobilise their members Hindu community was in dire need of and to bring as many of them as protecting itself from a threat. Finally, we possible to our capital city for a had to appeal to their sense of responsiday of peaceful protest. Everyone bility: ‘If you do not become involved in said ‘yes’ and I was optimistic, but this campaign, and support it with your even I was not really prepared for united hearts and voices, support the the overwhelming response!” campaign financially, and show your The wily editor also knew faces and be counted – it will not sucpeople in radio and cajoled them ceed.” into rallying their listeners to Ultimately, thanks to the tireless demonstrate in one large public work of C.B Patel and the many people display of their feelings: “Before he inspired along the way, the campaign the day of the big march, Sunrise was a success and the Bhaktivedanta Radio was advertising for people Manor remained open for public worto come and join us. The mesship.

It has gone on to become one of sages were in Hindi, Punjabi and the most famous temples in Europe Gujarati – and the listeners whose annual festivals attract many responded in their thousands. thousands from all over the country.

Shopkeepers and business people just shut their shops and put a Protest near Big Ben on 16th March, 1994 Hindu families throughout the nation join in offering a vote of thanks to a tireless sign in their window ‘Gone to and his famous newspapers. campaigner, protest the closure of our temple. Back tomorrow.’ Even a bank shut, the Equatorial Bank, just closed up for the day. So many people – all over the country – just stopped what they were doing and came to London.”

The editor says, smiling, that he doesn’t know who was responsible for the idea of the subsequent event, several weeks later, when hundreds lobbied their

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Kripamoya Das He became a devotee of Krishna in 1974. He has served the community since that time and currently sits on the temple board of Bhaktivedanta Manor.

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GLIMPSES OF THE CAMPAIGN

During the First World War, the Manor was used to care for wounded soldiers. During the Second World War, some RAF officers were stationed here, close to their HQ at nearby Bentley Priory.

પ્રથમ તવશ્વયુધ્ધ વખતેમેનોરનો ઉપયોગ કેટલાક િૈતનકોની િંભાળ માટે થયો હતો જ્યારેબીજા તવશ્વયુધ્ધ વખતેમેનોર રોયલ એરફોિોના મુખ્ય મથક બેસટલી પ્રાયોરીની નજીક આવેલંુહોવાથી મેનોરનો ઉપયોગ અતધકારીઅોના આવાિ તરીકેકરાયો હતો.

1986

After the Second World War the Manor became a training college for nurses and remained so until 1972.

બીજા તવશ્વયુધ્ધ પછી મેનોરનો ઉપયોગ નિો​ોની તાલીમ માટેકરાયો હતો જેછેક ૧૯૭૨ િુધી ચાલો રહ્યો હતો.

An Early Photo of the deities at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

ભતિવેદાંત મેનોર ખાતે રાધાકૃષ્ણની પ્રારંભીક પ્રતતમાઅો.

This shop in Letchmore Heath was purchased by devotees and became ‘KRISHNA’S’, a food and devotional items store. The expansion into the village was to prove unpopular with some of the local residents. one of whom was a local councillor whose grandfather had owned what was now Bhaktivedanta Manor. Although the ‘Letchmore Stores and Newsagents’ was replaced by ‘Krishnas,’ much to the concern of some villagers, the former proprietor explained: “I don’t know why they’re complaining, they never bought anything at all from my shop.” Indeed, so poor was the support for the little shop, the proprietor was forced to sell. લેચમોર હીથ ખાતે આવેલી આ દુકાન ભિોએ ખરીદી

છેઅનેતેને‘તિષ્ના’િ’ નામ અપાયુંછે. આ દુકાનમાંથી ખાદ્ય અને ભતિ િંબંતધત વથતુઅોનુંવેચાણ કરાશે. જોકે, થથાતનક કાઉન્સિલર િતહત રહેવાિીઓ દ્વારા દુકાન ખરીદી િામેતવરોધ કરાવામાંઆવ્યો હતો.

The local council sited a caravan outside the gates of the Manor. Inside it, staff counted and recorded the numbers of visitors. It was discovered later, from the council’s own records, that ‘ethnic’ visitors had been counted separately.

થથાતનક કાઉન્સિલ દ્વારા ભતિવેદાંત મેનોરની બહાર કેરેવાન રખાઈ હતી. થટાફ દ્વારા મેનોરના મુલાકાતીઓની નોંધ અનેગણતરી કરાતી હતી. નવાઈની વાત એ છેકે, વંશીય મુલાકાતીઓની અલગથી ગણતરી કરાઈ હતી

The public Janmashtami at Bhaktivedanta Manor in 1975 attracted 250 people. It would never be that size again. By 1986, the crowds had grown to 25,000.

૧૯૭૫માંભતિવેદાંત મેનોર ખાતેઉજવાયેલ જાહેર જસમાષ્ટમી પવોપ્રિંગે ૨૫૦ લોકો ઉપન્થથત રહ્યા હતા. તેપછી આટલી િંખ્યામાંક્યારેય ભિો ઉપન્થથત થયા નહોતા પરંતુ૧૯૮૬થી ભિોની િંખ્યા ૨૫,૦૦૦નેઆંબી ગઇ હતી.

While visitors to the temple periodically increased the traffic through the village, it was not beyond toleration for the majority of villagers.

િમયાંતરેમંતદરના મુલાકાતીઓની વધતી િંખ્યા િાથેગામમાંટ્રાફફક વધ્યો, પરંતુબહુમતી ગામવાિીઓ માટેતેકદી અવરોધરૂપ કેઅિહ્ય બસયો નથી.

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1987-88

Glimpses of the Campaign

The first of many fund-raising events was this Diwali Nite with Anup Jalota held in the rooftop ballroom of a Kensington Hotel. The popular singer from Bombay supported the campaign, and the crowd loved him.

CB Patel addressing the attendees

ફંડ રેઇઝીંગ કાયયક્રમનેસંબોધતા સીબી

Mr. John Watts, MP - Slough

ફંડ રેઇઝીંગ કાયયક્રમનેસંબોધતા તત્કાલિન એમપી જ્હોન વોટ્સ (થિાઉ)

કેન્સસંગ્ટન હોટડિના રુફટોપ બોિરુમ ખાતેઅનૂપ જિોટા સાથેલદવાળી નાઈટનુંઆયોજન િંડોળ એકિીકરણ માટડકરાયુંહતું. મુંબઈના આ િોકલિય િજલનક - ગાયકેઅલિયાનનેટડકો આપ્યો હતો અનેમેદનીએ તેનો િેમ વહાવ્યો હતો.

Although not a Hindu himself, Frank Ward saw the patent injustice of the situation and became a tireless campaigner for keeping the temple open to all. Frank travelled to India, Nepal and South Africa, meeting with politicians, media, faith leaders, and presidents of many Hindu and Sikh organisations. Here, he speaks at a press conference accompanied by Trikalajna Das (left).

લહસદુન હોવાંછતાંિેસક વોડડેઅસયાયનેપારખી િીધો હતો. મંલદરને તમામ માટડખુલ્િુંરાખવાના અલિયાનના ચૂથત સમથયક બની તેમણે િારત, નેપાળ અનેદલિણ આલિકાની મુિાકાત િીધી હતી. લિકાિંજન દાસ (ડાબે)ની સાથેપિકાર પલરષદ સંબોધતા િેસક વોડે.

Anup Jalota kindly agreed to help fund the Bhaktivedant Manor campaign’s growing legal costs by performing a one-off special concert. He even auctioned off his famous harmonium!, Each of the nights were accompanied with a dinner 1988. Hundreds of people attended the Fund raising events to.

િલિવેદાંત મેનોરના અલિયાનના વધતા કાનૂની ખચાયઓનેપહોંચી વળવામાંમદદ કરવા અનૂપ જિોટાએ લવશેષ કોસસટેરજૂકરવાની સંમલત દશાયવી હતી. તેમણેપોતાના િલસદ્ધ હામોયલનયમની પણ િીિામી કરી હતી. દરેક કાયયક્રમ વખતેડીનરની વ્યવથથા કરાઇ હતી હજારો િોકોએ આલથયક સહયોગ માટડયોજાયેિા કાયયક્રમોમાંિાગ િીધો હતો.

Frank Ward Addressing A Press Conference In Bombay in regard to the situation at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

મુંબઇમાંિલિવેદાંત મેનોરની ન્થથતી અંગેિેસ કોસફરસસનેસંબોધતા િેસક વોર્.

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At the instigation of His Holiness Krishnadas Swami, local Labour councillor Frank Ward was awarded the name Arjuna Das. A ceremony was held at the temple as Frank (centre) dedicated himself for what would be a ten yearlong battle to save the temple for public worship. Here, Sivarama Swami (left) gives a forehead blessing while Atmanivedana Swami looks on.

માસયવર કૃષ્ણદાસ થવામીની િેરણાથી મંલદરમાંઆયોલજત ખાસ સમારંિમાંઅલિયાનનેસમલપયત થથાલનક િેબર કાઉન્સસિર િેસક વોડેને અજુયન દાસ નામ અપાયુહતુ. લશવરામ થવામી (ડાબે)એ આત્મલનવેદન થવામીની ઉપન્થથલતમાંિેસક (મધ્ય)નેકપાળેઆશીવાયદ લતિક કયુ​ુંહતું.

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Glimpses of the Campaign

Everyone knew Rishi Kapoor, the famous Bollywood film actor, and in 1989 millions had watched him along with Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in Yash Chopra’s blockbuster movie Chandni.

The Save the Temple Campaign was delighted when he agreed to take part in a fund-raising sponsored walk.

યશ ચોપરાની બ્લોકબસ્ટર ફિલ્મ ચાંદનીના િસિદ્ધ અનેલોકસિય અસિનેતા સરશી કપૂરે‘િેવ ધ ટેમ્પલ કેમ્પેઈન’ માટેિંડોળ એકત્ર કરવાની વોકમાંિાગ લેવાની િંમસત દશા​ાવી હતી.

Surrounded by a throng of fans who’d just been moved by his stirring speech, Rishi Kapoor (centre, with sunglasses) moves off at the very start of the walk.

લાગણીપૂણાિંબોધનથી આનંસદત િશંિકો દ્વારા ઘેરાયેલા સરશી કપૂર (મધ્યમાંિનગ્લાિીિ િાથે) વોકના આરંિેબધાની િાથેચાલ્યા હતા.

1989

People came in hundreds to register for the walk to raise funds.

હજારોની િંખ્યામાંલોકોએ પોતાના નામ 'સ્પોન્િર વોક' માટેનોંધાવવા લાઇનો લગાવી હતી.

The 11 mile sponsored walk winds its way through the suburbs of north-west London, alerting thousands of bystanders along the route to the plight of the temple.

૧૧ માઈલની િાયોસિત વોક નોથા-વેસ્ટ લંડનના ઉપનગરોના માગોાપરથી પિાર થઈ હતી. રાહદારીઓનેમંસદરની મુશ્કેલીઓથી માસહતગાર કરવામાંઆવતાંહતાં.

Thousands of walkers, each of whom had been sponsored by friends and family, form a mile-long procession down Ealing Road in Wembley. The chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama rang out and the sun shone brightly.

વેમ્બલીમાંઈસલંગ રોડ પર એક માઈલના િરઘિ સ્વરૂપેહજારો વોકિા‘હરેકૃષ્ણા હરેરામ’ના નારા િાથેિારેગરમીમાંપણ ચાલ્યા હતા.

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1989

Glimpses of the Campaign

At the front of the throng of 7,000 walkers, the murtis, sacred temple images of Chaitanya and Nityananda, are borne aloft in a palki.

૭,૦૦૦ વોકસસની મેદનીની આગળ મંરદિની ચૈતન્ય મહાિાજ અને રનત્યાનંદની પરવત્ર મૂરતસઓનેપાલખીમાંબેસાડી લઈ જવાઈ હતી.

It turned out to be a very hot day, and the sun beats down relentlessly, but the walkers are happy and carry on singing. They stop halfway at a park in Kingsbury and are refreshed with cold drinks provided by Rubicon.

ભાિેગિમીનેસહન કિીનેપણ ભિો ચાલતા િહ્યા હતા. તેઓએ કકંગ્સબિીના પાકકમાંરુરબકોન દ્વાિા પૂિાંપડાયેલા નાસ્તા અનેઠંડા પીણાંનો આસ્વાદ માણ્યો હતો.

કફલ્મ અરભનેતા રિશી કપૂિેભરિવેદાંત મેનોિની લોન પિ કફરનશ લાઈન પિ થાકેલા છતાંખુશ વોકસસસમક્ષ લાગણીપૂણસસંબોધન કયુસહતુ.

The Turning Point -

૧૧ માઈલ ચાલ્યા પછી ૭,૦૦૦ વોકસસઅનેતેમના પરિવાિોએ લોન પિ હળવાશ અનુભવી પ્રવચનો અનેભજનો સાંભળ્યા હતાં. આ વોકથી ૧૦૦,૦૦૦ પાઉન્ડ એકત્ર થયાનુંસાંભળી તેઓ આનંદમાંઆવી ગયા હતા.

A murti of the founder of Bhaktivedanta Manor and the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was carried by the devotees along the entire 11-mile walk. Temple president Akhandadhi Das (right) urges the crowd on with raised arm.

સમગ્ર ૧૧ માઈલની વોકમાંભિો ભરિવેદાંત મેનોિ અનેવૈરિક હિે કૃષ્ણ આંદાલનના સ્થાપક એ.સી. ભરિવેદાંત સ્વામી પ્રભુપાદની મૂરતસ સાથેલઈનેચાલ્યા હતા. મંરદિના પ્રેરસડેન્ટ અખંડારધ દાસ (જમણે) લોકોનેઅનુિોધ કિી િહ્યા છે.

Sunil ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar, one of the most successful batsmen in the world, and beloved by Indian cricket fans everywhere, proudly displays his own sponsorship form for the 1989 walk. The double-century cricket star kindly agreed to walk the entire 11-miles. His participation, and that of film star Rishi Kapoor, attracted many new supporters to the campaign.

On the lawn at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Rishi Kapoor gives a rousing, later afternoon speech to the tired but happy walkers at the finish line.

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7,000 walkers – and their families – relax on the lawn after walking 11 miles. They listen to speeches and bhajans, and are delighted to hear the news that the walk has raised £100,000.

રવિના સૌથી સફળ બેટ્સમેનોમાંસ્થાન ધિાવતા સુનીલ ‘સની’ ગાવસ્કિ ૧૯૮૯ની વોક માટેપોતાનુંસ્પોન્સિરશપ ફોમસદશાસવી િહ્યા છે. બેવડી સદી ફટકાિનાિા રિકેટ સ્ટાિેસમગ્ર ૧૧ માઈલ ચાલવા સંમરત આપી હતી.

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Glimpses of the Campaign

1990-91

The Patrons Council helped with finance, festivals and the ongoing campaign. The dedicated support of the Patron Members of Bhaktivedanta Manor was gratefully acknowledged in the annual Patrons’ Gathering.

ધ પેટ્રગસસ કાઉન્સસલેફાઈનાસસ, ઉત્સવગ અનેઅભભયાનનેમદદ પૂરી પાડી હતી. ભભિવેદાંત મેનગરના પેટ્રન સભ્યગના સમભપોત સપગટટની પેટ્રસસ ગેધભરંગ (નીચે)માંકદર કરવામાંઆવી હતી.

On 8th of April 1991, dedicated temple campaign supporters formed themselves into a new movement: the Hare Krishna Temple Defence Movement (HKTDM). A ceremonial fire sacrifice was held on the front lawn to focus the team’s determination and to petition the blessings of Lord Krishna.

An unusual sight for central London: This Indian-style bullock cart lumbers its way along the capital’s streets pulled by two pure black Kerry oxen.

મધ્ય લંડનના માગગોપર તદ્દન કાળા રંગના બેબળદ દ્વારા ભારતીય શૈલીના ગાડામાંલાકડાંભરીનેલઈ જવાનુંદૃશ્ય કલ્પનાતીત બની રહ્યુંહતું.

Pop singer Boy George recorded a song, Bow Down Mister in January, 1991. It reached number 27 in the singles charts in the UK, 6 in Germany and 2 in Austria. The record provided the devotees of Krishna, who sang in the chorus, many radio and TV appearances, and indirectly helped to put the temple into people’s conversations.

પગપ સીંગર બગય જ્યગજોદ્વારા બાઉ ડાઉન ભમસ્ટર’ ગીત જાસયુઆરી ૧૯૯૧માંરેકગડટકરાયુહતુ. આ ગીતેકૃષ્ણભિગના જુસ્સાનેજાળવી રાખવામાંમદદ કરી હતી.

મંભદર અભભયાનના સમભપોત સમથોકગએ ૮ એભિલ ૧૯૯૧ના રગજ ‘હરે કૃષ્ણ ટેમ્પલ ભડફેસસ મૂવમેસટ (HKTDM) નામના નવા અભભયાનનગ આરંભ કયગોહતગ. ટીમની મક્કમતા દશાોવવા અનેભગવાન કૃષ્ણના આશીવાોદ મેળવવા હવન પણ કરવામાંઆવ્યગ હતગ.

Conservative member for Hertsmere, James Clappison MP (centre) took an active interest in Bhaktivedanta Manor and remained a supporter throughout the ten years of the campaign until the present day. Here, he walks with Naresh Chadha (left) temple president Akhandadhi Das (right) and Srutidharma Das (behind).

હર્સોમીઅરના કસઝવવેભટવ સભ્ય જેમ્સ ક્લેપીસન, એમપી (વચ્ચે)એ ભભિવેદાંત મેનગર બાબતમાંસભિય રસ લીધગ હતગ અને૧૦ વષોલાંબા અભભયાનમાંસમથોક બની રહ્યા હતા. તેઓ નરેશ ચઢ્ઢા (ડાબે), મંભદરના િેભસડેસટ અખંડાભધ દાસ (જમણે) અનેશ્રૃભતધમોદાસ (પાછળ) સાથે ચાલી રહ્યા છે.

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1990-91

Glimpses of the Campaign

Throughout the campaign, the Labour member of Parliament for Leicester East, Keith Vaz MP, offered his complete support and active involvement. He tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which was signed by more than 100 MPs of all parties. Here, he addresses a rally in Wembley on a chilly 31st January, 1991.

સમગ્ર અભભયાન દરભમયાન લેસ્ટર ઇસ્ટના એમપી કકથ વાઝેઅભભયાનને પષતાનષ સંપૂણુટેકષ અનેસભિય સાથ સહકાર આપ્યષ હતષ. તેમણે 'હાઉસ અષફ કષમસસ'માંઅલલી ડેમષશન મૂકી હતી જેનેતમામ પક્ષષના ૧,૦૦ કરતા વધારેએમપીઅષએ સહીઅષ કરીનેસમથુન આપ્યજંહતજં. પ્રસ્તજત તસવીરમાં૩૧મી જાસયજઆરી ૧૯૯૧ના રષજ કડકડતી ઠંડીમાં વેમ્બલી ખાતેરેલીનેસંબષધતા નજરેપડેછે.

The team that spearheaded the campaign to keep Bhaktivedanta Manor for public worship. From left to right, back row:Chandrakant Raniga, Mahendra Parmar, Dabinder Tah, Dr Ravi Kumar. Front row: Praful Shah, Cllr Frank Ward, Naresh Chadha, Dr Ashvin Shah, Jugdev Ramful, Rajni Chande. Also present were: Atmanivedanam Swami, Nainesh Desai, Mrs S Barrote, Bimal Krishna Das, Raj Mehta.

ભભિવેદાંત મેનષરનેજાહેર પૂજાસ્થળ તરીકેજાળવી રાખવાનજંઅભભયાન ચલાવનારી ટીમ. (ડાબેથી જમણે) પાછળની હરષળઃ સવુશ્રી ચંદ્રકાસત રાણીગા, મહેસદ્ર પરમાર, દેભબસદર તાહ અનેડષ. રભવ કુમાર તેમજ આગળની હરષળમાંબેઠેલા સવુશ્રી પ્રફુલ શાહ, કાઉન્સસલર ફ્રેસક વષડડ, નરેશ ચઢ્ઢા, ડષ. અભિન શાહ, જજગદેવ રામફલ, રજની ચાંદેનજરેપડે છે. આ ટીમમાંઆત્મભનવેદનમ સ્વામી, નૈનેશ દેસાઇ, શ્રીમતી એસ બેરષટ્ટ, ભબમલ કકશન દાસ, રાજ મહેતા પણ જષડાયા હતા.

A Delegation consisting of Sydney Bidwell MP, Vidyanand, Akhandadhi Das, OP Sharma (NCHT), and Cllr Frank ward handed in a letter to 10 Downing street, asking the prime Minister to intervene in the dispute over the use of Bhaktivedanta Manor as a place of public worship. A Large flower arrangement in the shape of SOS (save our shrine) was also given.

Mr. Vidhya Anand giving information to the chief Rabbi, Lord Jakobovits. વડા રબ્બી લષડડજેકબષભવટ્સનેમાભહતી આપતા શ્રી ભવદ્યા આનંદ.

The motto of the HKTDM – ‘Remember Me and Fight’ – was Lord Krishna’s battlefield instruction to His friend Arjuna. It was to prove the guiding light of the campaign throughout the years.

ભગવાન કૃષ્ણેતેમના સખા અજજુનનેયજદ્ધક્ષેત્રમાં‘મારું સ્મરણ કરી યજદ્ધ કર’ની સૂચના આપી હતી.

HKTDM દ્વારા પણ આ સૂત્ર રખાયજંહતજં, જેવષષુસજધી અભભયાન માટેમાગુદશુક બની રહ્યુંહતજં.

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20th Anniversary 2014

ભભિવેદાંત મેનષરનેધાભમુક સ્થળ તરીકેમાસયતા આપવાની માંગ સાથે એમપી સીડની ભબડવેલ, ભવદ્યાનંદ, અખંડભધદાસ, અષપી શમાુ(NCHT) અનેકાઉન્સસલર ફ્રેસક વષડડના બનેલા પ્રભતભનભધ મંડળેવડાપ્રધાનના ૧૦ ડાઉનીંગ સ્ટ્રીટ ખાતેઆવેલા કાયાુલયેજઇનેએક પત્ર અને'સેવ અવર શ્રાઇન – SOS' લખેલ તાજા પજષ્પષથી બનાવેલ બેનર અપુણ કયજુંહતજં.

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1992

Flanked by eight police officers, a decorated bullock cart from the temple passes by the House of Commons on its way to Downing Street. Singing on board were 30 children with a petition for the Prime Minister.

આસિાસ આઠ િોલીસ અપિકારીઓની સાથેશણગારાયેલુંબળદગાડુંમંપદરથી ડાઉપનંગ સ્ટ્રીટ જવા માટેિાલાગમેન્ટ હાઉસ િાસેથી િસાર થયુંહતું. આ ગાડામાંવડા પ્રિાનનેઆિવાની પિપટશન સાથેબેઠલ ે ાં૩૦ બાળકોએ હપરિૂન મચાવી હતી.

A petition of 6,000 signatures is handed in to No. 10 Downing Street, residence of the then Prime Minister John Major.

તત્કાલીન વડા પ્રિાન જ્હોન મેજરના પનવાસ ૧૦, ડાઉપનંગ સ્ટ્રીટ ખાતે૬૦૦૦ સહી સાથેની પિપટશન સુિરત કરવામાંઆવી હતી.

The wife of Labour leader Neil Kinnock visited the Manor at the very beginning of the party’s election campaign. It guaranteed maximum media exposure for the Manor and its cause. Six leading national newspapers carried the story the following day.

લેબર િાટટીના ચૂંટણી અપિયાનના આરંિેિક્ષના નેતા નીલ કકનોકની િત્નીએ મેનોરની મુલાકાત લીિી હતી. આ મુલાકાતથી મેનોર અનેતેના ધ્યેયનો ઘણો પ્રચાર થયો હતો. 'િ ટાઇમ્સ' અને'િ ઇન્ડીિેન્ડન્ટ' સપહત છ અગ્રણી રાષ્ટ્રીય અખબારોએ બીજા પદવસેઆ સમાચાર લીિી હતી.

The boxed-up application beside him, and before an arch of brightly coloured balloons just set for release, Akhandadhi Das speaks to the crowd of the latest efforts in the campaign to save the temple from closure. મંપદરનેબંિ થતુંઅટકાવવા કરાયેલાંપ્રયાસોની માપહતી મંપદરના પ્રેપસડેન્ટ અખંડાપિ દાસ લોકોનેઆિી રહ્યા છે.

As the European Court of Human Rights application is despatched to Strasbourg, the balloons are released to the sky. They float up, passing by the orange Hanuman ‘flag for justice’ on the way.

યુરોપિયન કોટટઓફ હ્યુમન રાઈટ્સ માટેની અરજી સ્ટ્રાઉસબગગરવાના કરાઈ ત્યારેરંગબેરંગી ફૂગ્ગા આકાશમાં છોડવામાંઆવ્યાંહતાં. ન્યાય માટેના હનુમાન ધ્વજ િર થઈનેફૂગ્ગા ઊંચાઈએ િહોંચ્યાંહતાં.

Surrounded by a scrum of photographers, Mrs. Kinnock stops to look into the Tulasi greenhouse. Srutidharma Das explains the significance of the sacred plant to Hindus.

ફોટોગ્રાફરોથી ઘેરાયેલાંપમપસસ કકનોકે તુલસી ગ્રીનહાઉસની ઝાંખી મેળવી હતી. શ્રૃપતિમગદાસેપહન્દુઓ માટેઆ િપવત્ર છોડનુંમહત્ત્વ સમજાવ્યુંહતું.

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1993

Glimpses of the Campaign

Walking the Road.” The residents and supporters of Bhaktivedanta Manor take the altar Deity along the proposed path of the new access driveway – a proposed peaceful solution to the needs of villagers and worshippers alike.

ભશિવેિાંત મેનોરના સમથવકો અનેશનવાસીઓ મંશિરની મૂશતવનેસાથેલઈનેનવા શાંશતમય સૂશચત માગવપર ચાલ્યા હતા.

Campaigning in India, January 1993, HKTDM president Naresh Chadha meets with several influential persons: Bal Thackeray, Lal Advani of the BJP; with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khurshid; and with Chief Minister of New Delhi, Sheila Dixit. Pictured: Naresh Chadha meets with Sheila Dixit in Delhi, and on the march through India’s capital.

HKTDM પ્રમુખ શ્રી નરેશભાઇ ચઢ્ઢા જાન્યુઆરી ૧૯૯૩માંભારતના પ્રવાસેગયા હતા અનેસવવશ્રી બાલ ઠાકરે(શશવસેના), લાલકૃષ્ણ અડવાણી (ભાજપ), શિલ્હીના સીએમ શ્રીલા શિક્ષીત અનેએક્સટનવલ શમશનસ્ટર સલમાન ખુરશીિનેમળ્યા હતા. પ્રસ્તુત તસવીરમાંશિલ્હીના સીએમ શીલા શિક્ષીત અને લાલકૃષ્ણ અડવાણી સાથેનરેશ ચઢ્ઢા અનેબાલ ઠાકરેસાથેફ્રેન્ક વોડડ નજરેપડેછે.

Atmanivedanam Swami giving information about the Campiagn to BJP leader Lalkrishna Advani ભાજપના નેતા શ્રી લાકૃષ્ણ અડવાણી વોટફડડમંશિરની મુલાકાતેપધાયાવત્યારેમંશિરની મુશ્કેલીઅો સમજાવતા પૂ. આત્માશનવેિનમ સ્વામી

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Hundred of participants took part in a march through New Delhi. The procession was joined by people who could not walk or were on wheelchairs, being pushed around by willing relatives. Everybody whatever their physical state, came together to celebrate one cause ન્યુશિલ્હીની રેલીમાંભાગ લઇ રહેલા ભિો. ધમવયાત્રામાંજેઅો ચાલી શકેતેમ નહોતા તેવા અનેવ્હીલચેસવવાપરતા લોકો િેશના ચારેય ખુણેથી જોડાયા હતા. ચાહેતેમનુંશરીર સાથ આપતુંહોય ન આપતુંહોય, સૌ કોઇ એક ઉમિા હેતુનેસર કરવા યાત્રામાંઆનંિભેર ઉમટી પડ્યા હતા.

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Glimpses of the Campaign

Dharma Ekta Yatra

1994

Headed up by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar editor C. B. Patel, a team visited dozens of religious organisations and Hindu community centres around the country. The aim was to alert all Hindu leaders to the situation of the threat to the temple and to ask for their support in the coming months. The Dharma Ekta Yatra succeeded in unifying the disparate Hindu community as they had never been before.

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1994

Glimpses of the Campaign

The Hindu youth were British-born and angry that Hinduism, their faith from birth, was being designated a ‘second-class religion.’ So the Pandava Sena took shape – and immediately took to the streets.

હિન્દુયુવાનો જન્મેહિહિશ િતા. તેઓ હિન્દુત્વ માિેજન્મથી જ શ્રદ્ધા રાખેછેઅનેતેનેહિતીય કક્ષાનો ધમમઠેરવતા તેઓ નારાજ છે. આથી પાંડવ સેનાનો જન્મ થયો અને આ મુદ્દાનેશેરીઓમાંલઇ જવાયો.

With their distinctive black shirts and Hanuman emblems, the Pandava Sena - the Pandava Army – campaigned throughout north London, making time to meet with important dignitaries from India. Here they talk with Mr. Ashokji Singhal, Head of Vishva Hindu Parishad.

િનુમાનજીની છાપવાળા બ્લેક શિટસાથેપાંડવ સેના કેપાંડવ આમમીએ સમગ્ર ઉત્તર લંડનમાંઝુંબેશ ચલાવી અનેભારતથી આવેલા હવશ્વ હિન્દુપહરષદના વડા શ્રી અશોકજી હસંઘલ સાથેમુલાકાત પણ કરી.

Head of the National Hindu Students Union, Manoj Ladwa, & Dipa Dhokia speak to the crowd and explains why it is the duty of all Hindus to join together to protect their religion from unfair treatment.

Demonstrating that the youth of the Hindu community would worship outside the temple if they were locked out, the Pandava Sena begins holding worship services on the Letchmore Heath village green. Here, Pradip Gajjar offers an arati lamp, while Paresh Patel (behind) plays the drum.

નેશનલ હિન્દુસ્િુડન્ટ્સ યુહનયનના મનોજ લાડવા અનેદીપા ધોકકઆએ લોકોને સંબોધન કયુ​ુંિતુંઅનેતેમણેહિન્દુઓનેએક થઇનેતેમના ધમમનેથઇ રિેલા અન્યાય સામેરક્ષણ આપવા સમજાવ્યુંિતું.

હિન્દુસમાજના યુવાનોએ મંહદરની બિાર પણ પૂજા-અચમના કરીનેદેખાવો કયામ િતા. પાંડવ સેનાએ લેચમોર િીથ હવલેજ ગ્રીન ખાસેસેવા-પૂજા પણ કરી િતી. પ્રદીપ ગજ્જરેઆરતી ઉતારી િતી, જ્યારેપરેશ પિેલ (પાછળ) ઢોલક વગાડેછે.

Ajay Kumar member of the Pandava Sena meets Indian High Commissioner Dr. L M Singhvi

ભારતના િાઇ કહમશ્નર ડો. એલ. એમ. હસંઘવીનેમળતા પાંડવ સેનાના સદસ્ય અજય કુમાર (ડાબે)

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Flags and banners held aloft, and with the rhododendron hedge of the Manor as their backdrop, the Hindu youth continue their temple worship outdoors, pictures of the altar Deities behind them.

ધજા અનેપતાકાઓ ઉપર રાખવામાંઆવી િતી, હિન્દુયુવાનોએ મંહદરના પ્રવેશિાર પાસેસતત તેમની ભહિ યથાવત રાખી િતી. તેમની પાછળ ભગવાનનુંહચત્ર છે.

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Glimpses of the Campaign

THE PROTEST MARCH

1994

On the 16th March, 1994, the two years ‘stay of execution’ given by the government was completed. Bhaktivedanta Manor would be forced to close. It was more than the Hindu community could tolerate. A protest march through London was called and they came in their thousands. સરકારેઅમલ સામેબેવષષનો આપેલો મનાઈહુકમ ૧૬મી માચચેપૂણષથયા પછી ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરનેબળજબરીથી બંધ કરાવાનુંહતું. હહન્દુકોમ્યુહનટી આ કેવી રીતેસહન કરી શકે? લંડનમાંથઈનેઆગળ વધેલી હવરોધકૂચમાંહજારો લોકો સામેલ થયાંહતાં.

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1994

Glimpses of the Campaign

During the HKTDM, devotees were on a hunger strike outside the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters. Well known English journalist Mr William Rees Mogg was passing through the area, who felt compelled to enquire about the protest. Impressed with the perseverance of the devotees, he later wrote an article about it in The Times. First picture: L to R- Pranbandhu Das, Ramesh Shah and Aniruddh Das.

ભક્તોએઅભભયાનનેભિજયી બનાિ​િા ભિબરિ ડેમોક્રેટ પાટટીના િડા મથકેભૂખ હડતાળ આદરી મક્કમતા દશા​ાિી હતી. ઉપિાસ દરભમયાન, ૨૦ િષાસુધી ધ ટાઈમ્સના એભડટર રહેિા ભિભિયમ રેસ મોગ ત્યાંથી પસાર થયા હતા અનેતેમણેભૂખ હડતાળનુંકારણ પૂછ્યુહતુ. તેમના સાચા ધ્યેયથી પ્રભાભિત થઈ તેમણેધ ટાઈમ્સમાંઆ ભિશેનોંધ િખી હતી. તસિીરમાં(ડાબેથી) પ્રાણબંધુદાસ, રમેશ શાહ, અભનરુદ્ધ દાસ.

Devotees promoting the meeting announcement at Blackpool beach.

બ્િેકપુિની ગ્રાન્ડ હોટેિમાંયોજાયેિી મીટીંગ માટેબીચ પર જાહેરાત કરતા ભક્તો.

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1995

A special fundraising dinner in August 1995 succeeded in raising a staggering £1 million in just one evening for the Final Fighting Fund

ઓગસ્ટ ૧૯૯૫માંઆખરી લડત માટેટવશેષ ભંડોળ એકત્રીકરણના ટડનર દરટમયાન માત્ર એક જ સાંજમાં૧૦ લાખ પાઉસડનું ભંડોળ એકત્ર થયુંહતું.

wProtest outside of Hertsmere council office and in second picture: 83 year-old grandmother, Sarla Bhatia, fasted all day in a blizzard outside the Hertsmere Borough Council’s offices in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Her grandfather, she said, had protested British rule in India and had walked with Mahatma Gandhi’s salt march. It was her pleasure to be able to now make her own contribution to the cause of freedom of religion.

હર્સસમીયર કાઉન્સસલની બહાર દેખાવો કરતા ભક્તો. હટટફોડટશાયરના બોરહામવૂડ ખાતેહર્સસમીઅર બરો કાઉન્સસલની ઓફફસ બહાર ૮૩ વષસના દાદીમા સરલા ભાટીઆએ ભયાનક ઠંડીમાં ઉપવાસ કયા​ાંહતાં. સરલાબહેનના દાદાએ ભારતમાંટિટટશ શાસનનો ટવરોધ કયોસહતો અનેમહાત્મા ગાંધી સાથેમીઠાના સત્યાગ્રહ દાંડીકૂચમાંભાગ લીધો હતો. પ્રસ્તુત તસવીરમાંજમણેથી સરલાબેન અનેતેમના પુત્રવધૂપ્રટમલાબેન સુદશસનજી ભાટીયા (સાઉથોલ ટવશ્વ ટહસદુમંટદર)

After being fined £30,000 for celebrating Janmashtami in 1994, the devotees protested outside the court in Luton.

૧૯૯૪માંજસમાષ્ટમીની ઊજવણી બદલ ૩૦,૦૦૦ પાઉસડનો દંડ કરાયા પછી ભક્તો લુટન કોટટની બહાર ટવરોધ પ્રદશસન કયુાંહતું.

Youngest hunger striker: 5 year-old girl fasted for one day to protest against the temple closure. It was one of the winter’s coldest days and some of those entering and leaving the Council’s offices were not temperate in their remarks to the child.

સૌથી નાના ઉપવાસીએ મંટદર બંધ કરવાના ટવરોધમાંભારે ઠંડીમાંપણ એક ટદવસનો ઉપવાસ કયોસહતો.

In search of British justice: MP Keith Vaz and other leader with lanterns.

ચારેય તરફથી સયાય મળતો ન હતો ત્યારેસીબીનેઅનોખો નુસ્ખો સુઝ્યો હતો. નાટ્યાત્મક રીતેધોળેટદવસેફાનસ પ્રગટાવીનેપાલાસમેસટની ચારેય તરફ ટવટવધ અગ્રણીઅો ફાનસ સાથેફયાસહતા અનેનાળા, ખાંચાઅોમાંસામેફાનસ ધરીનેઅમેસૌ ટિટીશ સયાયનેશોધવા નીકળ્યા છેતેમ જણાવ્યુંહતું. આ નાટકીય ટવરોધનેતમામ રાષ્ટ્રીય અખબારોએ તસવીરસહ પ્રટસધ્ધી આપી હતી. પ્રસ્તુત તસવીરમાંએમપી કીથ વાઝ અનેઅસય અગ્રણી નજરેપડેછે.

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1996

Glimpses of the Campaign

Frank Ward and Naresh Chadha, by this time battle-weary, were jubilant at the news. After ten years of hard struggle all their efforts and that of the many groups of supporters and campaigners had been rewarded in full: the public were free to worship at the temple, the road could now be built; and the dignity of the Hindu community in the United Kingdom and the practise of its faith had been preserved.

ફ્રેન્ક વોડડઅનેનરેશ ચઢ્ઢા િસ વષણના સંઘષણપછી તેમના તમામ પ્રયત્નો સફળ થયા તેનો આનંિ માણેછે. મંમિરમાંલોકો મુિ પણેપૂજા-અચણના કરી શકેછે. હવેત્યાંરોડ પણ બની ગયો છે. યુકેમાંમહન્િુસમાજનુંગૌરવ અનેતેની શ્રદ્ધાની જાળવણી થઇ રહી છે.

And then, in May 1996, the Ministry of the Environment announced the stunning news – Victory for Bhaktivedanta Manor!

અનેપછી મે-૧૯૯૬માંપયાણવરણ મંત્રાલયેઆશ્ચયણજનક સમાચારની જાહેરાત કરી અનેભમિવેંિાત મેનોરનો મવજય થયો

White limestone formed the foundation of the 1 kilometer long driveway. Together with highway landscaping at the new entrance, the roadworks were completed in record time.

એક કકલોમીટર લાબાંરસ્તા માટેસફેિ ચૂનાના પથ્થર પાથરવામાંઆવ્યા. સાથોસાથ નવા પ્રવેશદ્વાર પાસેહાઇવેલેન્ડસ્કેપીંગ અનેરસ્તાનુંકામ મવક્રમ સમયમાંપૂણણકરવામાંઆવ્યું.

July 1996: Before construction of the road, an auspicious ground-breaking ceremony known as a shila-ropanam, takes place. Seated (left to right) are C. B. Patel, Atmanivedana Swami and Frank Ward.

જુલાઇ-૧૯૯૬: રોડનુંમનમાણણ થયુંતેપહેલા ત્યાંભૂમમપૂજન કરવામાંઆવ્યુંહતું. તેમાંબેઠેલા (ડાબેથી જમણે) સી. બી. પટેલ, આત્મમનવેિના સ્વામી અનેફ્રેન્ક વોડડ

Rishi Kapoor opens the road.

મરમશ કપૂરેરસ્તાનુંઉદ્ધાટન કયુ​ુંહતું.

Heavy machinery lays the hot tarmac to seal the limestone-rich foundation. The road was completed just before Janmashtami, on the 5th of September.

ભારેમશીનો દ્વારા રસ્તાનેમજબૂત બનાવવા ડામર અનેકપચીનુંગરમ મમશ્રણ પાથરવામાંઆવ્યું. આ રસ્તાનુંકામ ૫ સપ્ટેમ્બરેજન્માષ્ટમી પહેલા પૂણણથયું. મંમિર પાસે બગીચા અનેઅન્ય સપાટી સરખી કરવાનુંકામ થઇ રહ્યુંછે.

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Messages from the Campaigners

I

t gives us great pleasure to write on the 20th anniversary ofthe campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford.

The famous march on 16th March 1994 saw over 35,000 British Hindus, lains and Sikhs united in their support of the famous ISKC0N place of worship. It was an emphatic demonstration of solidarity and brotherhood, and peaceful persuasion. Scores of devotees and volunteers from our various mandirs and centres had also made the journey from around the country to ioin the peaceful march to Westminster. Thankfully, our combined efforts focused the minds ofthe decision-makers and an amicable solution was eventually reached.

It showed: Like the Pandavas, though we may be few in number, but if we are united in our faith and obedience to the righteous will ofGod, then no challenge is insurmountable.

We pray now that the ISKCON congregation at the Manor continues to grow from strength to strength in spreading the good work and teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupadaji.

With blessings, Shastri Narayanswarupdas [His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharal)

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indu Council Brent Chairman Bhagubhai Patel, Vice Chairman Mahendrabhai Pattni, Secretary Hariharbhai Patel,and some of the officers Venilalbhai Vaghela, Bipinbhai Patel, Ashwinbhai Galoria with many of our affiliated organisation Presidents, Secretaries with their members joined the march to show our solidarity to save Bhaktivedanta Manor. It was so good to see young children, youths, women and men young and old marching togather.

The atmosphere was electric and vibrating as the march progressing with singing Hare Krishna, at one point it felt that Lord Krishna had arrived to give his blessings and show the British Government we Hindus will stand shoulder to shoulder for our Hindu Cause.

Most of us took afternoon off from work to join the march as it started in the afternoon.

When we reached near House of Commons where we met Keith Vaz MP and at this point, our secretary was arrested for shouting and taken away in a police van. It took us time to find which police station he was taken to.

With Lord Krishna’s prayer we finally we were able to trace him and got him released without any charges.

If we all Hindus show the same solidarity and unity today then I am sure the British Government and local Borough Council will listen to us to give Hindu Communities the Equal Rights as other ethnic communities are getting.

Long live Lord Krishna.

Jai Shree Krishna Mr Ashwin Galoria Secretary

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he beautiful Bhaktivedanta Manor has a special place in my heart. During the General Election in 1983, I contested The Hertsmere Parliamentary seat which covered Letchmore Heath where the Manor was situated. Every morning I would visit the Temple and pray before going campaigning. It meant so much to me even though I was not a Hindu. I was welcomed and treated with great kindness .

As a Zoroastrian I knew sanctuary had been given to my ancestors fleeing from religious persecution in Iran by the Hindu community in Gujarat, for which we are eternally grateful. So when the issue of the survival of the Manor arose I was privileged to play a small but I hope important part in alerting constituents, the Liberal party and the media for the need to protect the Manor.

I still have an article where I challenged those in power and with unfounded prejudice to look at their action. If they had given planning permission to a hypermarket (a Temple of consumerism) nearby, then surely a Temple of God should be allowed to flourish and continue to bring blessings to all communities.

Zerbanoo Gifford Human Rights campaigner, author, and founding director of the ASHA Foundation a UK charity

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uring the Campaign years there was a constant need of money to pay for legal costs, so the Temple devotees asked my husband Harivamsa prabhu and I to go out and collect. So we would go out twice a week to collect money and we used to take both our boys with us. This continued throughout the Campaign.

In 1990 Temple devotees took its Patrons to India for a pilgrimage and wherever we went we prayed to keep our Temple open. By the end of March, whilst still in India, we recieved the news that the European Courts of Human Rights had declined our application. Pranabandhu das called us and became very upset and emotional.

During the march with celebrities Rishi Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar, we had a bullock cart on which the children and elderly sat. I left the procession after Kingsbury to go and help Pranabandhu das in the kitchen, to make kachori for all the thousands of protesters who were due to arrive. My mother joined that protest and her photo is still with me from a local newspaper.

A few devotees did a hunger protest outside Liberal Democrat offices for a week. The same day they finished the protest, they came to join us to protest outside Hertsmere Council. That day I organised a team of ladies to help in the kitchen to make a packed lunch for over 1,000 people. We made thick big chapattis, potato subji and chutney, packed into rolls. We took it to the Council offices and handed them out to everyone.

The following winter Pradyumna das arranged a coach full of youth to go Blackpool to protest outside the Conservative Party Conference. We left early in the morning and my team arranged lots of prasad to feed them all.

In 1995 there was a major Public Inquiry at Hertsmere Council, and I was selected as one of the speakers.

ISKCON’s lawyers sat down with me for hours to help me with my speech. I was asked to speak about my life in Uganda and my time at the Temple. I was very nervous and I started to read my speech too quickly. At this point the junior lawyer stopped me and requested I slow down.

One comment I made was that I would like the Temple to stay open for future generations, like my children and grandchildren.

Akhandhadhi das was the main speaker at the Public Inquiry, when he was not speaking he would go out and chant on his beads as later he told us that he was depending on the holy name.

I remember that devotees used to go and protest outside Hertsmere Council. They stood outside the main entrance and I joined them whenever I could. One day we were about 8 devotees so we decided to do kirtan as well. Otherwise we would stand with banners and chant on our beads. When the staff and Councillors came by I used to feel very angry with them for all the troubles they were causing!

Akhandhadi das had come up with the slogan “Buy the land, Build a road, Save the Temple”. We made cards and gave them to all visitors who came and asked them to pray every day.

When we heard in May 1996 that the Temple could stay open if we build a road before the upcoming Janmashtami festival, we were jubilant, full of joy and hugely relieved. We thanked Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.

Krishna Purna dasi Head of Volunteering at Bhaktivedanta Manor

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uring the days that the Hare Krishna Temple was under threat of closure, I had a close relationship with Atmanivedanam Swami . I had known him a long time before and I was inspired by him, spiritually. He would come to our Temple quite often and would tell us about the problems that the ISKCON temple was facing with its local Council. That possibility was a very harsh one. A terrible thing. When Atmanivedanam Swam asked for support I offered it with no hesitation.

When it came to the time of the big march, I arranged a few coaches from the Shri Nathji Sanatan Mandir and encouraged everyone I knew to also attend.

I know that it was a difficult time for the ISKCON Temple’s point of view, but the whole walk as actually a good experience. Everyone simply came together and it created a good feeling amongst us and many other Temples and communities across the country.

I remember that the youngest of our community were also keen to get involved: The old and the young joined together out of religious conviction for a noble cause.

Nowadays, unfortunately there appears to be much less unity, at least it is much more difficult to find that feeling that we felt in those days. A lot can be learned from those days: That unity can create good feelings and great benefits.

Rasikaben Patel A leading member of the Shri Nathji Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Leytonstone since the 1970’s

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he campaign was my first ever political act. I was at University reading Politics and because of the CB Patel campaign realised that politics is not just for other people, not just for studying, but about each of us, real and impacting our lives. My grandmother tough me that if you don’t get involved in politics then don’t complain when the laws harm you.

How dare someone attack my faith, my places of worship. Did not the Gita teach me courage to fight for truth. I recall writing to Asian Voice, I finished my article about 3am and they published it. It was the first ever article I had published in any paper. Dharma looks after those who look after Dharma. That one act, led to a career in writing for me. Whenever I have sought to protect my Dharma, my Dharma has changed my life immeasurably. Always.

To this day CB Patel reminds me of the letter I sent. That one letter re-united CB with my family. You see he was my uncle’s business partner before Gujarat Samachar even began. So it was that Dharma united not just the community, but long-lost relationships too. If in doubt, always do your duty; always be a defender of the faith.

Breaking the law on religious grounds

20 Years ago, almost to the day, they tried to tear down a Temple. My first ever political act was to write in the Asian Voice newspaper in defence of the mandir in reply to a resident who said we were breaking the law. I was a student.

I wrote to defend the faith against the attack on it from residents of Letchmore Heath who did not want a mandir there. And why if we were breaking the law, then it was our duty and the right thing to do. I was well aware as a trainee Barrister this may well have hampered a legal career before it began.

From this one act of faith, for faith, I wrote for the Financial Times and 18 books. Faith gave me courage to stand up and be counted. One simple political act of faith that changed everything in my life.

That article from 20 years ago: Dear Editor, I write in response to the anonymous letter (25th March 1994) of a resident of Letchmore Heath.

I too, like him am British, and like him I consider being British a fact, however I consider being an Indian an ideal. And an essence of Indian idealism is surely civil disobedience in the face of unfairness.

The writer, a Christian, raised many issues including the violent nature of Hindus. The writer places great emphasis on the obeyance of the law as a duty related to citizenship. His thoughts exhibit a confusion between the concepts of the state and the nation. To acknowledge the authority of the established system of government and obey its laws is one thing; but to ask that one accept the prevailing form of life and values is quite different. The obligations of full citizenship confer the privilege to shape the nation, and its laws.

Given, the writer’s emphasis on planning permission I remind him the issues involved here are cultural, social, political, and legal and include the freedom of religion, association, assembly and the freedom from undue control.

It is far easier for a hundred men to build a by-pass than for one man to change his religion. However, if I was thinking of changing my religion, I can think of none better to change to in Britain than Protestant Christianity, given the existence of a legally Established Church, favorable blasphemy laws and emphasis in social teaching, a right to the House of Lords of some bishops and the hope of becoming Monarch.

The current dispute is a symptom of the incorporation into our laws of the values and traditions of the dominant culture. The enactment of laws carries with it the sanction of the state and ultimately the legitimate deprivation of personal liberty for non-obeyance. Given the power of the State authority and sanctions at its disposal, it is vital for the citizens of a nation to be able to shape those laws, particularly by means of public protest and civil disobedience if those citizens constitute a minority.

Civil disobedience is very different from ordinary criminal activity monitored by greed or cruelty. Moreover, those engaging in civil disobedience act to acquit their duty as citizens not to deny it; they do not challenge the legitimacy of the government or the authority of the state.

Let us remember for those who want maintain the status quo, Goebbels’ declaration to the German churches was, “You are at liberty to seek your salvation as you understand it, provided you do nothing to change the social order”.

Yours sincerely, Alpesh Patel Barrister-at-law, currently reading in the Honour Schools of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St. Anne’s College, Oxford University.

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Messages from the Campaigners “I joined the campaign mid-stream in 1991. I was feeling great anxiety at the threat of closure, as was everyone else. I thought: ‘If we close down we can still have a home for a few residents, but the mission will have failed, so let me play my part to prevent that happening.’

The Bhaktivedanta Manor was Srila Prabhupada’s first permanent temple in Britain – the other was rented – and he was very proud of it. It was a foothold for his mission in the country.

I felt that since I was a sannyasi and had received so much from Srila Prabhupada I was indebted to him. I had to do something for him.

So I started working with Bimala Krishna Das (Vipin Aery) meeting Hindu leaders and politicians, at home and abroad. The aim was to develop an awareness of the campaign and to help keep pressure on the government. I found that while most Hindu leaders were appreciative of Srila Prabhupada taking sanatana dharma all over the world, some were still apprehensive of western converts to Hinduism and they voiced their reservations. But being of Indian origin myself, and able to speak both Hindi and Gujarati, I found it easier to break the ice with those leaders, and spent hours explaining the real situation to them. Eventually, the entire Hindu community came to regard the Manor as one of their own. It became informed and united, and the years of the campaign directly brought about that change.

One of my favourite memories is of the demonstration in London. I was particularly involved in bringing people out to march, but the number of people that came on the day just took me completely by surprise. You see, we thought that if we organised one hundred coaches that will guarantee us 50 people per coach and 5,000 marchers in total. That would be quite a good turnout. What we didn’t know, perhaps what nobody really knew, was just how many people had been told about the protest march. It had been announced in the Gujarati and Hindi newspapers, on the community radio, and in every temple and Hindu organisation up and down the country. His Holiness Pramukh Swami had even told the Swami Narayana school In Neasden to close for the day, and for 1500 children and their teachers to come out and march with us.

So you can imagine how surprised we were when many more than a hundred coaches turned up – from all over the country. But it didn’t end there; Hindus, Jains and Sikhs came pouring out of the tube stations surrounding the rally point. Many thousands came by public transport and thousands more came from all over London. We couldn’t believe it. We had confidently told the police that we were expecting 5,000 people, so they laid on an appropriate number of officers. Later that day, they told us there had been 36,000 marchers!

Much later, we discovered that many people had just taken the day off work or closed their shop; they were so ready to support the cause. They felt that an injustice had been done to their community. Due to the campaign highlighting all the issues, the Manor had moved in the understanding of every Hindu from ‘their temple’ to ‘our temple.’ It was a significant day in the history of Hinduism in Britain – that the Hindu community felt their culture was being threatened and responded in a peaceful way.

Much of the vital communication was established through the good offices of the Gujarat Samachar newspaper, and many people who could only read English came to learn of the urgent need of the campaign through the pages of the Asian Voice. I still believe that much more needs to be done to project our Hindu values and culture to the next generation, so it is no time to relax, much more information is required to develop Hinduism within this country. Let us all remain united to do that.”

Atmanivedana Swami

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veryone who gave a shoulder to the Campaign to save the status of Bhaktivedanta Manor 20 years ago deserves the inner satisfaction of being able to serve Lord Krishna in such as wonderful way.

Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan movement, extended by Srila Prabhupada to the world at large, has universal attraction and appeal, for its effect of pure goodness and devotion was and remains all encompassing. Therefore, the long ordeal to save Bhaktivedanta Manor inevitably reached a successful conclusion. Yet, over the years the Campaign yielded other fruits which are innumerable and impossible to quantify.

The HKTDM accomplished an arduous Campaign. Ever since meeting Frank Ward and Trikalagya das in 1988, the VHP leaders gave moral support to the Campaign, and practical and effective contributions since 1993. Those years of struggle brought a great sense of unity across the Hindu community and beyond for a noble and vital cause. The status and honour of the entire community was at stake.

Contemplating 20 years since the big March of 1994, myself and other members of the VHP continue to express deep veneration for the time, energy and efforts put in by all those who participated.

Shri Kishor Ruparelia Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK

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n the day of the big march in 1994, we all gathered at a park in Holborn in central London.

We had organised many many coaches to come and although we were expecting a lot we were not aware of how exactly many would turn up.

Coaches were picking people up from all over London, especially those people who could not access public transport very easily. We had organised 40 coaches by ourselves, but many more came from across the UK. So the total number of people that arrived at the starting point was huge and more than expected!

As the coaches drove in from all directions to drop their passengers off, the Square quickly filled up with protestors. The young, the old, and people from numerous different communities.

Observing the sheer numbers I thought “Great! After all our endeavours people have come out to support us!”

A protest march on the scale of tens of thousands requires a lot of careful managing. We had organised 50 volunteer stewards who therefore had an important role. Once empty, the coaches drove off to the Embankment along the north bank of the Thames, waiting to collect their passengers after the march. I remember there was more than 3 miles of our coaches parked along the Embankment, with many more parking much further along due to lack of space. After the protest march had come to an end around Whitechapel, over 35,000 people made their way home at roughly the same time! As stewards, it was our job to direct people to the right coach. Coaches were marked on the front window according to town , temple and so on. To be honest it was very chaotic trying to get everyone home…It admit it was a shambles! Even when all the coaches had eventually left, our day wasn’t over! Some people had got left behind, stranded. We had to lend people money to use taxis or public transport to get home.

Some of the Patron Council members, including myself, went to the local police station to help protestors get released. About 6 had got arrested that day outside Parliament. We had to make sure they got home safely. Some were released early, but others much later on at about 10.30pm. We waited till the very end.

That day I felt that at last our community was standing up for its rights, and I was encouraged that so many people gathered together and spoke with one voice. The Campaign had been going on day in day out for years before hand, but with huge support I felt that March 1994 was really the turning point.

Dilip Patel Chair of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Patron Council and Member of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Festival Committee

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here is nothing wrong with defending one’s rights and one’s faith. In the beginning, just like Draupadi, during her unfair torture in the court of King Dhiritarashta, we initially had faith in the judicial process and we thought we will win our case against the ban unfairly placed upon Bhaktivedanta Manor by its local Council. But we lost our initial battles and there were difficult times.

We lobbied inside and marched and protested outside Parliament, but the politicians alone could not help us.

In such situations, there is only one thing devotees can do and, just like Draupadi, we turned to Lord Krishna. With even stronger faith, we continued to worship the Manor deities of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. We illegally celebrated the festival of Janmashtami and were heavily fined.

Our prayers for protection from the Lord increased. The Hindu community had faith in the Bhagavad gita: 18.78: “Where there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and whenever there is Arjun, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality...”

His Holiness Krishna das Swami, Sannyasi, international preacher and guru

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t is hard to believe that it is 20 years since the march to save the Bhaktivedanta Manor. I remember clearly when I was asked if I would participate in a charity walk to highlight the necessity to preserve the heritage of the Temple. I was only too happy to oblige! Mind you I had never walked such a distance before, but the enthusiasm and good humour of all the other like-minded participants made it feel like a walk in the park. It did what it was set to achieve and the authorities understood how much Bhaktivedanta Manor meant to the believers.

While celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Campaign marches and complimenting all those who participated in it, is important to once again convey to today’s violent world the message that the Campaign was wholly peaceful and did not cause any inconvenience to anybody.

Sunil Gavaskar Former cricketer who played during the 1970s and 1980s for Bombay and India. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in cricket history.

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hen the Hare Krishna Temple Defence committee was first formed, very few people knew about the Manor's troubles. On 16th of January 1994 things took a turn as the Pandava Sena was formed with the blessings of Akhandadhi das. Among those present were Pradyumna das, Romapad das, my son Nitesh, Manoj, Joshna, Bhaskar, Ajay and Sejal. Quickly things moved from the meeting rooms and onto the streets.

More people started coming to the Manor as the Campaign became a major issue for the Hindu community. It united the community as never before. CB Patel made Gujarat Samacher and Asian Voice the Manor's media voice. The newspaper spread the news like wildfire.

When the Pandava Sena held the first ever arati on the Letchmore Heath Village Green in protest. Jitesh Thakrar had arranged for a group of Sikhs to come as guard the event!

During the demonstration held in May 1994 participants were told to block the roads when Big Ben struck 3pm.

Police were taken by surprise and reinforcements arrived. Many were arrested, many wanted to get arrested! It was considered a very successful day!

Once again, Gujarat Samachar lent it full coverage. BBC and other national media outlets also covered the demonstration. The Manor had reached international news. Then more demonstrations followed, outside Hertsmere Council's offices in Borehamwood.

While the Pandava Sena were busy on the streets, Akhandadhi das was busy and making progress with the Council. He managed to get approval of the Manor as a place of public worship. Now for so many the Manor had become the temple of their hearts.

The land was bought, the road was built and the temple was saved. Hindus who believed in their religion played their part in saving the Manor and other communities also gave their support. It is impossible to name all those who helped in the fight. There were so many.

Krishna acts in mysterious ways. Had the Council recognised the Manor as a public place of worship in the 1970's then maybe it would still be a 'small' temple. We must congratulate the Council…Krishna had His plan!

Bipin Gor First visited the Manor in 1975 and later became a regular volunteer, along with his family. He currently serves as a volunteer in the Manor shop.

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remember when I was a teenager my parents would host meetings in our house in Slough.

People like Naresh Chadha would speak passionately about the Manor’s plight. I along with everyone else would get very upset indeed. The Manor was our life, after all.

Whilst the Patrons were in India, Pradjuma das, and a handful of us sat on the Manor landing talking about our anger and deep upset. We were desperate to do something to save the Manor. We wanted our voices to be heard by the Council. That night the Pandava Sena was born. We wanted the youth to come together and fight. For us it was the biggest crisis in the world...So we masterminded imaginative ways of protesting and raising the profile of the Campaign.

We would sometimes get together at my house: write press releases and plot schemes.

We had so much energy! One member of the then small Pandava Sena drew an image of Hanuman on a flag, printed it on black shirts and hats: that became our logo. We wore those T-shirts and hats everywhere.

We worked hard and tried to fit things in between our exams. Some members may have sacrificed their exam results to fight for the Manor. Doing a retake seemed acceptable as we knew there may have been no second chance or retake to save Bhaktivedanta Manor.

We were rather radical but most of us also had our heads screwed on! At one point I was made spokesperson for the Pandava Sena . One highlight of that was when Nitesh Gor and I were invited to a local police station for “talks”. They were worried about some of our tactics, but actually we were quite peaceful!

But it’s true we had no fear whatever. We would go out in all conditions. For example, we would sing kirtan on the streets in Wembley for hours, sometimes in the freezing cold. Locals would come out and serve us food and hot tea. It touched our hearts and brought the community together.

There was a phenomenal amount of unity at that time. The Manor and ISKCON was forefront in everyone’s minds. We felt like a small cog in a very big machine working for a noble purpose – be it a very loud cog! I was very grateful to be part of it.

Looking back, many of us have a lifetime connection with the Manor which cannot be described. love of the Manor cannot be replicated.

Dipa Dhokia Former Pandava Sena, Accounts Director for IT Company and runs her own interior design and sourcing company.

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Messages from the Campaigners “We were in a meeting and were told that the Liberal Democrats were not willing to support us. Their vote was crucial at local government level, so we were discussing how to change their minds. So I suggested that I would go on hunger strike outside their party headquarters in downtown London. We wanted their support nationally, and felt that some verbal or written endorsement from Paddy Ashdown might help influence Lib Dem councillors locally. But one of our team protested: ‘Are you mad? You won’t be able to do it and then they’ll laugh at you!’ but then he added: ‘But it is certainly a unique idea.’ So I asked who else was willing to join me, and Aniruddha Das and Rameshvara Das stepped forward. So early the next morning we were dropped off in Westminster, right outside Lib Dem party H.Q. The first two days of complete fasting from any food were very difficult. We were only drinking water. You get a painful headache and your stomach goes into a cramp. But we found the determination to keep going because we didn’t know what else we could do. So we sat there on the pavement holding quite provocative banners while, day after day, the party members came in and out of work. A man from LBC Radio came along and conducted an interview, further helping to create widespread awareness of our situation. Lord Dholakia, the Lib Dem peer, had also been alerted to our hunger strike.

One day Sir William Rees-Mogg came by; I think it was en route to his home, and he asked us: ‘Hello, what’s going on?’ So we explained everything to him. By that time we’d been fasting completely for five days. It was a Saturday when we met him, and on the following Monday a totally supportive half-page article appeared in The Times entitled: Let Hindus share all our freedoms.’ It was brilliant and we know for sure this it took many people by surprise that such an establishment figure could so strongly speak in our favour. Whether it was this article, the radio interview, our persistent fasting, or a combination of all of them, we received the news that the Liberal Democrats had changed their minds. We had been fasting for eight days straight. Not one crumb.

I think the message that this and other episodes sent out was that the Hindu community was frustrated and becoming slightly more militant – and no government wanted that. I think the campaign definitely brought into the collective Hindu mind that westerners can indeed convert to Hinduism and that the values are something that anyone can find helpful to their life – even those not born of Indian origin. The campaign also showed that even though they were by nature peaceful, when there was an attack on their faith the Hindu community really came together to defend their culture.

Pranabandhu Das

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was delighted to hear that you achieved victory in keeping Bhaktivedanta Manor open for public worship. I strongly supported the Campaign and wish you all the best.

Lord Hugh Dykes (MP for Harrow East from 1970 - 1997) (originally published 1996 in ‘Victory’)

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was only a child when I took part in the Campaign marches. Those were the days before I became actively involved in ISKCON. My father took me along to a few of the marches and demonstrations but being so young I wasn't sure what to make of them - I had never experienced anything like it before. I remember there were countless people taking part and that there remained a generally pleasant mood, perhaps due to the sense of unity everyone had. I remember seeing high-spirited individuals with Hanuman logos on their t shirts and jumpers in a park where the protesters were gathering. Again, I was too young at the time to understand what they were, I just went wherever my parents took me.

After the Manor’s fight my family continued to take me to the Temple. A few years later I saw the same logo again - when I became a member of Pandava Sena!

Vishal Merai Vice-chair of Avanti Court Primary School.

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came to UK in the 1960’s and in those days there was always a sense of not belonging in this country. There was no community centre of Temple to go to. My first few years of all religious and cultural activity was celebrated within the home only.

Then one day, in the late 1970’s some ISKCON devotees came knocking on our door collecting money. “My prayers are answered explained Dwarka Puri das. “Come and pray, Krishna will take care of you and your children”.

When I first saw Bhaktivedanta Manor I was completely gobsmacked. There was something completely unique there: the atmosphere, the knowledge of the devotees, everything. When I first saw the beautiful Temple deities I just froze!

Regarding the Campaign to save the Manor my husband and I helped in all sorts of ways.

For example, in Slough we got in touch with our local MP and community leaders. I fasted on fruits for one month and collected sponsorship money of £4000, which was a lot of money in those days.

All my three children joined us on the big march. I was one of those who sat on the road outside Parliament.

There were hundreds of us blocking London’s traffic! Quite a number of police vans appeared and the police angrily arrested and threw many of us inside, and drove us off to the station. That was my first ever encounter with the law.

We felt so strongly about keeping the Temple open that we crossed our usual boundaries.

We were cautioned, accused of ‘breaching the peace!” We replied “we will keep coming back. We will not stop until out temple is allowed to remain open”.

Later interviewed by the BBC I said “I will keep going to Bhaktivedanta Manor even if I am threatened with imprisonment!”

I remember cooking huge pots of prasad and bringing it all the way to Hertfordshire to feed all the devotees who had attended the various Public Inquiries. I was even distributing prasad to people who were in opposition as well. I did not mind, I was happy to do it. That is the culture.

Winning the Campaign has given my family a meaning in our lives. My faith is deeper and indeed faith was needed to win the Campaign.

Now my children are all grown up. I see my grandchildren go to Bhaktivedanta Manor. If we hadn’t stood up and fought, today so many young people would not be able to experience the divinity of the Temple and what it is offering. It represents an assurance of the survival of our culture.

Lila Shakti dasi Works for the Mental Health Department within the National Heath Service, Counseller and Pujari at Bhaktivedanta Manor

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n the 1980’s, when the Campaign started, the Hindu community was quite fragmented as a whole. But on the day of the biggest march it was simply amazing. Everyone in the community came together. I remember thinking, “how did so many people turn up?”

I don’t think even we actually realised the great sense of injustice people felt when they heard about the threat of the Manor’s closure, even though many of our supporters had not even been to the Manor. It was the principal of it. The community had the feeling of being exploited, and everyone felt it was relevant to them: “If nothing is done then the insensitivity expressed by the Manor’s local Council might also happen to other Hindu communities across the country”.

Among the inner circle of activists we gave each other a lot inspiration.We didn’t have much political clout, especially in the beginning, but we had each other to give each other strength and energy to carry the Campaign forward. The leaders of the Campaign were inspirational, such as Akhandadhi das.

Because of that I always had the confidence that we would win.

It was a just cause and I had faith that eventually justice would prevail. We had faith in Lord Krishna but also I had faith that at the end of the day the British legal system is fair.

Today I still see the same sense of unity, and as a community we are going from strength to strength. The Manor remaining open has given the opportunity for so many of our children to participate in our culture. So the Manor is a symbol of upholding the culture, and it promotes good values and creating law-abiding citizens. It gives young Hindus a sense of identity. These days you see the terrible things going on in society and around the world, but it’s great that places like Bhaktivedanta Manor offer something very positive, very spiritual. That is the result we were fighting for.

Kaushik C Patel Bhaktivedanta Manor Patrons Council and volunteer Team Leader

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was born in Uganda and came to the UK to live permanently in 1972. Bhaktivedanta Manor opened exactly a year later. When I first arrived I heard about hari namas (street chanting parties) and they appeared part of the social revolution that was going on at that time: young people tended to lean towards Eastern philosophy.

In those days there were not many Vaishnava temples in London. Therefore when Srila Prabhupada and his disciples moved into the Manor, many immigrants from East Africa like myself were elated because many of us were brought up to worship Lord Krishna. There was a vacuum within the indian community, and the Manor filled that vacuum.

Therefore, when I later found out about the Manor’s plight I was totally flabbergasted that such an action could be instituted against a place of worship. Especially a beautiful place like the Manor, situated in the countryside, away from the congestion of urban areas.

During the protests in particular I was touched because all the minority religions came together: Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Jewish and Muslims. ISKCON philosophy respects all religious beliefs and this was evidence of it. Other faiths provided their support, both verbal and practical . It was an endorsement of our non-sectarian belief.

The Campaign was successful because of a lot of devotees were working collectively. There was a unique feeling of solidarity. It brought everyone closer together for a common purpose, whether in times of elation or sadness.

At the end of the day Krishna was behind everything because he wanted us to come together, to serve Him in a harmonious way.

It must be said that had it not been for CB Patel, the case would not have been exposed locally, nationally or internationally. Media support was vital. A lot of media were interested in our plight, including Indian media. This provided a huge platform for us.

Since the Campaign the Manor has conformed to the need of maintaining, in fact enhancing, the historical building and surrounding Green Belt. The rural aspect of the Manor has always been important, in fact one of the Manor’s greatest assets. As devotees we believe in the British society’s attitude towards the Green Belt, but at the same time we need to pursue our religious heritage. The Manor represents the best of both worlds.

When I see younger generations come to the Temple it gives me great happiness. Lord Krishna plays no part in the lives of most young people we see on the streets today. But it is wonderful that the younger generations have somewhere to come to. They can learn values, learn the culture of Vaishnavism. That is due to the foundation work and sacrifice that was made by the older generations.

Aravind Thakrar Evening Supervisor and Security Officer at Bhaktivedanta Manor

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ollowing the success of the Campaign to save the Holy Shrine of Lord Krishna from closure as a place of public worship I visited Bhaktividanta Manor.

As I walked in the grounds the light filtered through the trees dancing in harmony with the rays projected by the late afternoon sun as the branches swayed gently in the breeze.

This peace and tranquillity of nature’s bounty was punctuated only by the squeals of children playing with their friends and with their parents had come to make devotional offerings to their Lord Krishna in His home, Bhaktivedanta Manor.

This Holy Shrine had become internationally famous and identified with the struggle to determine the right and freedom of religious worship and practice for Hindus in the United Kingdom.

What form of human intolerance, insanity and depravity would engender even the thought, let alone the desire to close such a piece of Hindu Heaven on earth?

Although I am not of the faith, for ten years of my life I spent tirelessly working with others dedicated to fighting the injustice perpetrated on a defenceless peaceful community that has no modern day equivalent in any civilised society. I was proud to have taken part.

This shameful persecution of the Hindu community in the United Kingdom must not be permitted to slide into the proverbial dustbin of history which is the precise reason I have written my account of the struggle: ‘No Time To Slumber For The Hindu Tiger.’

Frank Ward (Arjuna das) Former Vice-Chairman of the HKTDM and Hertsmere Labour Counsellor.

Today he is Chair of Hertsmere UKIP

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andava Sena owes its birth to the Campaign to save Bhaktivedanta Manor. Not only did the Campaign save our beloved Temple and lead to the creation of the youth group, it also gave life to many young people. Over the years, when we were younger and now 20 years older, Bhaktivedanta Manor has offered comforting shelter. As youth we quickly learned that Srila Prabhupada had an important message - a spiritual revolution, an identity we wanted to be part of. And, Bhaktivedanta Manor was integral to this and had to be saved.

The words of Bhavesh Patel, who was a new member of the Pandava Sena at the time, typified the feelings on the day of the big Campaign March: “I felt it was the most amazing day of my life...I have never been in such an atmosphere of absolute unity. Everyone had one thing in mind “Deal with and eradicate this travesty of justice!”

Everywhere I looked I could see people shouting and screaming, old ladies crying and even confronting the police, not due to any kind of malice, but due to their fear that their place of worship was going to be taken away from them. I feel very fortunate to have been part of history that day.”

As a leader of the Pandava Sena during the most vital Campaign days to save the Temple, I continue to hold deep respect and gratitude to all those who took part and served the community with such dedication and sacrifice.

Over the last 20 years the Pandava Sena has continued to grow. It is now active in Britain, India, Canada and the United States. I know that in Britain today there are 1,500 members listed on the database, 147 engaged in preaching services and 140 on the ISKCON mentorship system.

Youth from all backgrounds and ages and those from across 27 university-based Krishna Consciousness Societies continue to benefit from what started as a small group of students who wanted to save Bhaktivedanta Manor. In the end, Bhaktivedanta Manor saved us!

Nitesh Gor (Navin Krishna das) Former head of the Pandava Sena. Today Chief Executive of the Avanti Schools Trust

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here is no doubt that a great many people worked very hard in different ways to keep Bhaktivedanta Manor open to the public. This, of course, included the legal team working hard behind the scenes. Like every team that was fighting to save the Temple, a very noble cause, there were unsung heroes. One particular such individual from the legal side was the late Sir Graham Eyre QC, who led me on the enforcement appeal when Hertsmere was attempting to close the Manor to all forms of public worship. I would like to take this opportunity to tell his story.

Graham first became involved in 1985 when ISKCON turned for assistance to that most quintessential of English barristers. Graham was then aged 57 and one of the recognised leaders of the Planning Bar, having been in silk since 1970.

Although knighted in 1989, he was never elevated to the High Court Bench, a failure that he ascribed to the fact that the Prime Minister of the day disagreed with the recommendations in one of his reports.

Graham was extremely hard working and he required a similar degree of hard work from me, his junior. Staying overnight at an hotel during a long inquiry for ISKCON, he would consume a full dinner accompanied by wine or champagne, and preceded by the inevitable gin and tonic. He would then turn to me and explain that he would take a little rest and would start work again at some impossible hour, usually 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning. ISKCON’s tenets contrasted strangely with his own habits!

Graham approached ISKCON’s case no differently from all the other enforcement appeals that he had conducted throughout his career. He quickly mastered the arguments and immersed himself in the intricacies of the religion, becoming familiar with its terms, practices and philosophy. He formed a close working relationship with Akhandadhi das. The two spent much time plotting tactics, correcting proofs, dreaming up arguments and composing vitriolic letters to the planning authority.

Unfortunately, the enforcement appeal was lost, as was ISKCON’s attempt to get planning permission to build a replacement Temple off Dagger Lane. However, the story has a happy ending of course, although Graham was no longer involved.

ISKCON was able to persuade the Secretary of State that, in the very special circumstances of the case, it should be granted permission to construct a road running from the A41 direct to the Manor, thus avoiding the unsuitable country lanes and bypassing the village. I was delighted and honoured to be able to conduct that case on behalf of ISKCON and its successful conclusion is one of the highlights of my legal career.

When the road was built, ISKCON was finally given permission to continue public worship at Bhaktivedanta Manor – a just result if ever there was one.

David Altaras QC London barrister specialising in planning and consumer law. Chartered Arbitrator, Crown Court Recorder and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

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originally got involved when Cllr Frank Ward came to the Temple to discuss the problems Hertsmere Council were causing. He gave us an idea of what could be done by the community.

He advised that we don’t rely on one party or another, gather unity across the Hindu community and with enough effort there will be success.

The walk with Sunil Gavaskar and Rishi Kapoor opened up the eyes of the Hindu community across the UK: it caught their attention. Meanwhile CB Patel was like a general in an army, guiding us and giving the Campaign a lot of media publicity. For example, the Dharma Yatra was his idea and it was successful in creating a sense of unity and it gave a positive dimension to the Manor’s problem.

I had a feeling that it was a once in a life time opportunity to give support for a good cause.

We did all kinds of things. For example, myself, Pranabandhu das and Aniruddha das decided to fast for 8 days in front of the Liberal Democrat Party HQ. Although Hertsmere Council was Conservative controlled, we needed to gain the support of the second most influential party there. I had never fasted before! We were there for the full 8 days and were sleeping in a van parked nearby! By the fourth day we badly required a bath, which we took in Dilip Patel’s house!

The civil disobedience during the Campaign march was unbelievable! All that energy! Everyone fearlessly lay on the road right outside of the Houses of Parliament, stopping the traffic. People cautioned by police and later had to appear in court. But it was necessary: We wanted to show how unfair Hertsmere Council had been.

Some of us spent a week ‘searching for justice’ in another demonstration outside Parliament, crawling on our hands and knees and carrying lanterns!

The Patrons Council was generally working hard in the background, making sure the funds were there to make it all happen. Money was hard to come by so all kinds of fund raising schemes, including charity walks, came about.

Today I feel the cause made me stronger in my faith. I found an energy that I didn’t have before. Krishna gave it to us. I fully believe that when people unite we can achieve anything.

But we should not forget: Whether it was a Public Inquiry, court case, protest or indeed any gathering the ladies were always there to feed us. Many ladies such as Krishna Purna dasi, Ananda Vigraha dasi and Krishangi dasi were helping out in the background making sure everyone was fed. That was very important…expect for the fasting demonstration of course!

Ramesh Shah (Rameshwar das) Chartered Accountant and Property Management Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Patron Council and leading Volunteer at Bhaktivedanta Manor

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he Hare Krishna Temple Defence Movement (HKTDM) was formed on 8th April 1991 to start the Campaign and awareness of the closure of the Bhaktivedanta Manor all around the World.

The challenge was to fight for the freedom of worship with help from all Hindus and non-Hindus living in the UK. With a just cause, we had support from numerous societies and organisations through Britain and the world. The HKDTM embarked on arranging several marches, petitions, funds raising events. The HKTDM committee coordinated with several Hindu and Non-Hindu organizations to fight the injustice in the “freedom of worship” and with support of all were successful in keeping the Bhaktivedanta continue their worship without the threat from closure.

On March 16, 1994 over 36,000 Hindus travelled from all over UK to march through London streets. At one time the traffic in front of Houses of Parliament was stopped for 45 minutes – the Metropolitan Police arrested several HKTDM members and devotees. This march was reported on several TV Stations and newspapers.

HKTDM feels that this was the turning point for the British Government to see a strong front from the Hindu Community which resulted in granting planning permissions to allow the worship to continue at the temple.

Eventually the British Government accepted and agreed that the Hare Krishna Movement’s founder, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, had a special connection with Bhaktivedanta Manor. They concluded that that association “must continue for wider public interest.”

It was a significant victory – a victory that now establishes the direction of Srila Prabhupada’s desire for Bhaktivedanta Manor.

“If you want to remain in the spiritual world, this temple is the spiritual world. This temple is not in London. It is Vaikuntha…it is Vrindavan” Srila Prabhupada Naresh K. Chadha Former Chairman of HKTDM and US based business professional

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or a number of us the Campaign March was more than just a day. For years, but from January of that year in particular we created a very active base at the Manor which was churning out all sorts of ideas .

The adrenaline, anticipation and deep feelings were churning through everyone’s minds and hearts. We were living each moment of each day for the mission and on the day of the huge march all our feelings became deeper, more pronounced. The day was largely well organised. It was one unit working together for a worthy objective. It will probably never to be repeated, at least not outside of Parliament, but then I hope there will never be another reason for it!

The number of people outside Parliament was a great event not only to Save the Manor but a great event of unity and occasion or the Hindu community as a whole.

This was not just about keeping a building open, which is simply bricks and mortar, but about keeping alive a tradition. We young people at the time needed to create a platform to do something significant for the Campaign.

We wanted to take the Campaign as far as we could outside of the immediate community. We wanted to world to know about it.

I was there when the original 10 members of the Pandava Sena met and later I was given the opportunity to guide and steer them.

The Manor was correctly perceived by the youth as a seat of learning and it preserved our culture. The Pandava Sena were mainly British born Hindus and in its early phases many were joining them because of the Campaign.

Our plight created an attraction, an affinity, gave them an identity and a cause that deepened their sense of identity.

As young people they had fearless energy and we were emotionally caught in the moment. They had a collective energy drive them beyond their own expectations. It gave them strength.

Some of the most memorable times included the Pandava Sena’s first flier, which advertised arti on the Letchmore Heath Village Green. The message was “If we are not allowed to worship inside the Temple building, then there is nothing to stop us from worshipping outside the building in the local village!” I remember hordes of young British Hindus from across England converging on the tiny village!

During that time, every Saturday the Pandava Sena would be drive an open truck up and down the Ealing Road in Wembley and in Southall, shouting down megaphones and telling everyone about the potential Temple closure.

That way they attracted many more members!

Pradip Gajjar (Pradyumna das) Pradip is one of the Directors of Avanti Schools Trust and was Project Director for setting up the Krishna Avanti School in Leicester. He is a Senior Consultant at Transnational Management Associates, a global provider of management development programmes, delivering to some of the world's leading global organisations. Pradip has an MBA from Aston Business School.

It was a fight for a future generation A cause that united the nation Fighting for the right to pray In the honorable Vedic way,

With megaphones, placards and prams, We went to Parliament to fulfill our plan

A cause that gathered the young and old, From different faiths, so unity would hold

Tears and traffic filled the air Human roadblocks made by those who cared

From the heart of Bhaktivedanta Manor Came forth letters, lectures and banner

Until finally, with hearts and mind as one Our fight to worship was finally won.

And with these came a noble plan And so our fight began

Yet for some it's still like yesterday, Lest we take for granted the price we paid!

Not with clubs, pistols and guns But with a mindset that would not be undone

To live to pray another day At Bhaktivedanta Manor, may justice stay.

Petitions, promises and hearings The more we did, the more we were endearing To the hearts and minds of the many Who supported us by presence and penny Uniting many colours under the sun Cold weather and winds we shunned,

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Prashant Kotecha Freelance Project Manager Former Manor Youth Forum, Pandava Sena and Founder of Mantra Therapy.

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n 1994 I was only about 7 years old so some of my memories are quite vague. Yet I do recall going out on the big march in London and holding my mother's hand as we walked down the street, surrounded by thousands of others carrying banners.

I don't know how well I understood why we were there and what we were doing, but I remember it feeling very momentous. Something important. Although, from a child's point of view it was not much different in feeling from a regular London Rathayatra procession that I was used to!

I recall more clearly the official opening of Bhaktivedanta Manor's new access road two years later: It was dark that night and I remember torch flames being held. There was such a festive, celebratory mood - one of relief, with the sense of a long, hard struggle being concluded. I remember the happiness on everyone's faces and how we walked all together from the top of the road down to the bottom - a new beginning!

Jahnavi Harrison Former student of the Bhaktivedanta Manor School Today a main singer for ‘Kirtan London’, musician and a leader of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Bhakti Choir.

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rishna solves all our problems . Nothing can stop in His way and He does what He likes, and protects His devotees forever. He is Lila Dhari . Known for His own ways of working.

His Temple of His took long time to be saved ... That was His wish ..... Now one day very soon we all will meet again there to thank him for giving us this divine place to worship Him. Krishna Bhakta

Anup Jalota A successful professional musician, international famous for his bhajans and ghazals

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wenty-seven years ago, as fate would have it, I had a heart attack for living in fast lane. In those days, there were only 5 NHS London Hospitals where the bypass surgery was conducted. At the cost of £50,000 hospitals were reluctant to take patients who did not change their mode of living.

Fate would have it that St Bartholomew's Hospital (St. Barts) would choose me to be operated in 1988. Fate would unite the ten patients from all parts of London in a dilapidated ward for an open heart surgery. The dire condition of the Ward, stimulated all of us to form “BARTS HEARTS”, a charity to raise funds for the Hospital in general and this Ward in particular.

Fate would have it that with a large influx of Hindus from Uganda and other unstable African countries in early 1990's, a steering Group “Hindus in Britain” was set up under the auspices of National Council of Hindu Temples (NCHT) and with undaunted support of its President Om Prakash Sharma. I became a member of the Steering Group to convey the message to 800 organisations - “Hindus in Britain should be aware of the processes and stages of community development including organisational machinery, constitutional issues including representation, voting, lobbying support in local and regional structures.”

It was at a meeting at Wellingborough District Hindu Association, where I first heard the woes of the Hare Krishna Temple, so eloquently explained by Akhandadhi das. It hit my nerve when he mentioned about the land being owned “by St Bartholomew's Hospital”. I invited Akhandadhi das to my house for further information. As the Trustee of Barts, I used my influence to convince the management to sell the land to the Temple.

However, the threat of closing down the Hare Krishna Temple in 1994 united many Hindu Organisations. The Hindu Council of UK was formed after a conference in Birmingham in November 1992. Whilst the NCHT remained more of a religious body, HCUK became a more vociferous body. The march to House of Commons in 1994 by over 30,000 people halted the Westminster traffic for several hours and it demonstrated the awesome power exerted by the Hindu community, known for “law abiding, hard-working and positively contributing society to their newly made home – Britain.”

Hindu Council UK and its affiliated organisations has directly and indirectly supported and motivated in setting up Hindu Schools and various Hindu Community and Cultural Centres.

Community involvement has become one of the main links through which attempt have been made to provide opportunities for both the established and non-established groups to work with their community of common bond and common purpose.

Jai Shree Krishna Venilal Vaghela Hindu Council UK - Brent

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efore moving into Bhaktivedanta Manor I had heard it was facing potential closure to the public, thus likely financial ruin. I was even advised by devotees in other parts of England to devote my life to a place with a more certain future. But I followed my gut feeling and in 1993 I went to stay there long-term. Soon after I was invited to climb abroad one of the coaches which left from Bhaktivedanta Manor to central London for the main Campaign march. Although I knew that much was at stake, being new to the scene I asked if I could bring a copy of the Bhavagad Gita with me on the coach but “remain inside and read”.

Pradjumna das declared “this is the largest march so far. Krishna told Arjuna to fight! This IS the Bhagavad Gita!” I was won over and did not regret my decision to join. In fact, it was a privilege to take part in that piece of history.

As our coach pulled up, I was open-mouthed to see so many people pour out of one coach after another somewhere around central London in an unprecedented display of unity behind ISKCON and dharma in general. This was no minority religious group, ISKCON had clearly reached the mainstream: it had received the stamp of approval!

The atmosphere on the day was surcharged, and I must say for a young devotee it was all rather exciting. Yet it was no where near as aggressive as the anti-Poll Tax demonstration I had attended several years previously.

Overall the Hindus protested in the way they knew best- - in a relatively peaceful and tolerant way and through song and prayer. Like Gandhi’s movement. That said, the issue was a serious one and when amongst younger participants I did sense a bitterness and confusion: What did it mean to be a British born Hindu? What was their identity?

I shared their feelings but from a slightly different angle: What does it mean to be a white Hindu in a western country? (and more importantly, where’s the prasad?)

As the procession snaked around Westminster and approached the Houses of Parliament, amongst younger folk I saw old ladies sitting on the road. Obviously some bright spark thought that was a jolly good idea and during the following demo it happened again. A bigger sit-down took place and some protestors were being dragged along by police as the national media clicked away on their cameras. Central London’s traffic effectively came to a standstill.

0To this day I shall never forget the determination of those old ladies in particular, who were more than three times my own age. This is something the younger generations of the community should never forget. Since that day I have had great respect for the senior members of the Gujarati community and their unity and acceptance and sacrifices made for Bhaktivedanta Manor.

My next public spectacle was joining the Pandava Sena and Pradjumna das on a protest rally outside a Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool, when even I sported an orange head-band decorated with Om signs!

Then there was the march in Luton which culminated outside Luton Crown Court. The previous Janmashtami was “illegally celebrated” and thousands came to support Akhandadhi and Atmanivedanam Swami as they gave their legal testaments and brandished an unfair fine. When they emerged from the building, they were hoisted on people’s shoulders and honoured like triumphant football stars!

Myself and a few other Temple devotees led a section within that march. Just ahead of us a disciple of Srila Prabhupada dressed up as a comical police officer, carrying a plastic truncheon and wearing a red nose! He walked alongside a cage, inside which sat Ambarish das who was dressed in prison-stripes and a large splash of red kum kum on his forehead!

Over the last few years before 1996 nearly everything at the Manor revolved around the Campaign. Wearing a dhoti and tilak within Council Chambers or on the street was challenging for a young white chap, but I knew I had the support and even admiration of the Hindu community, and that gave me inner strength.

One morning in 1996 Akhandadhi das came running along the corridor of the Manor carrying a wad of pages which was the 1996 Agreement! He quickly gathered together some senior devotees and I was privileged to be around at the time. We all entered Srila Prabhupada’s personal quarters upstairs, a most befitting venue, and sat before his murti. With tears in his eyes and with Agreement in hand, Akhandadhi das made the announcement that all the efforts of so many people had been rewarded: the Temple would remain open for everyone!

We cried.

The Campaign days essentially represented my initial impressions of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s identity as a community and as a mission. Therefore, the training I received was hugely shaped by this. I believe many lessons were learnt during those years, such as to avoid isolationism. The Communications Team is playing our part to keep the positive elements of the Campaign momentum going.

Religious freedom is a right and privilege not to be taken for granted, but something to be cherished and shared with others, for the betterment of the entire human society.

Radha Mohan das Communications Secretary of Bhaktivedanta Manor, author, Bhaktivedanta Players drama group and Trustee of the Hertsmere Forum of Faiths

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arch 1994 has become historic in the life of Hindus in the UK. On that day thousands gathered outside the Palace of Westminster to protest about the human rights of Hindus that were being trampled on by politicians.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar covered the event and gave it a national resonance that awakened the spirit of the whole community. I remember studying a photograph of an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair, and alongside him was his 7 years old great grand-daughter. In the cold they stayed outside the Palace of Westminster with thousands of others; they supported the cause for it was multiple generations fighting for the very future of their children. This one photograph told the story of countless thousands of Hindu families at that time. For me that photograph was very special. The gentleman in the wheelchair was none other than my grandfather, Shri Amratlal Dudakia. And the little girl by his side was none other than my daughter, Deepika Dudakia.

Insert photo 1 from Kapils photo folder: caption: “Shri Amratlal Dudakia protesting against the closure of Bhaktivedanta Manor” My grandfather has taken refuge with Lord Krishna and is no longer with us. However my daughter Deepika is all grown up and I asked her about her memories of the day. She said that whilst she was not sure of what was happening, it was clear to her that it was very very important. That iconic image of Hindus marching outside Westminster has stayed with her to date, and on each occasion we visit Bhakti Vedanta Manor – she knows she played a small part in its survival. I remember speaking to my grandfather who was always full of wit and wisdom in equal measure. He said, ‘karma, karma, karma’ – do that right and the rest will follow automatically. On that day the karma yogis were out in force and their tapasya resulted in a game changing victory for all Hindus.

The journey of the Dudakia family being associated with ISKCON had started and in years to come we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do seva and karma in our own way. I recall a more recent event when Gangotri was killed by an RSPCA inspector whilst in the Goshala. It sent shock waves throughout the country, but in that time of utter desperation Lord Krishna found a way forward.

The Gangotri taskforce was set up and I was lucky enough to have been granted the privilege of serving on it. Within one year the task force managed to get changes to the guidance on the Animal Welfare Act directly from the DEFRA. The RSPCA apologised and even donated a cow in calf. I was honoured when Gauridas Prabhu and Shruti Dharamdas Prabhu asked me to name the donated cow – I chose the name ‘Aditi’. In the Vedas, Aditi is the mother of the gods.

Insert photo 2 from Kapils photo folder: caption: “Gangotri” Insert photo 3 from Kapil’s photo folder: caption: Aditi, meaning ‘mother of the gods’ These are some of the memories of but one family. Thousands of other families played a pivotal part in not only saving the Hare Krishna Temple, but in giving strength and belief that we as a community can unite to achieve much.

From those days of survival, in 20 years ISKCON has made progress beyond recognition. The Temple grounds have increased dramatically in size with the resultant increases in infrastructure and facilities for the devotees. The local population that was so vehemently opposed has now accepted the Temple as the very beacon of positive interfaith relations. More recently, with the setting up of Krishna Avanti Foundation, for the first time Hindu faith based schools have emerged in the UK. Even OFSTED stand astounded with the quality of education that is available at these institutions.

For the Dudakia family the Temples’ journey has also been our journey. On the 20th anniversary of securing the right to have a Temple at Bhakti Vedanta Manor – I say to you all, we are blessed to live in these times of history making.

Hare Krishna.

Kapil Dudakia

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had first come across the Hare Krishna devotees in Nairobi, Kenya. The year was 1970 and I was at the Kenya Agricultural Show when I heard the chanting, ' Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare'. The chanting and the sound of cymbals and mradanga drums mesmerised me and deeply impacted me! The next time I saw the Hare Krishna devotees was in London in 1974 and gradually my association with the movement grew.

The threat of closure of the Manor started from 1981 when Hertsmere Council issued an enforcement notice banning all public festivals at the Manor. During 1988, 1989 I regularly attended meetings at the Manor. On 1st February 1987 I attended a meeting at the Manor to discuss the feasibility of access road to by pass Letchmore village. Amongst those present were Councillor Frank Ward (the famous Arjun Das!), his friend surveying consultant Graham Aitken, Shantoo Ruparell, Trikaljna Das, Ranti Dev Das, Akhandadhi Das and Sumraminuam Indran. A fringe meeting was held at the Conservative party conference in Brighton on 12th.October 1988. The venue was Norfolk Resort Hotel and the theme was Gandhi and the concept of Justice. I addressed the meeting and said the following: 'History and destiny has bound the Indian and British people. Mahatma Gandhi was a living example of this bond. Even when fighting tooth and nail for the freedom of India, Gandhi remained a firm believer in British democracy and British justice. Those of us of Indian background who have settled in the UK regard ourselves British too and we too have the same faith in British democracy. We hope we will not be let down in our struggle to keep the Hindu shrine in Hertsmere open. As British citizens we want to play a positive role in this society. We want to enrich this society with our unique contribution.

It is felt that there is an urgent need for more moral and spiritual values in society. The new concept being talked about is of responsible citizenship. Citizens who recognize their debt to the society at large. These are the very values that the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Srila Prabhupada has taught us. The followers of the Hare Krishna movement propagate moral values and encourage people to give up drugs and alcohol.

It is therefore a great pity that the very people who who have so much in common with the Conservative values are being harassed by the Conservative Hertsmere Council. Not all Hare Krishna followers wear saffron clothes, most lead ordinary lives and for them the Hindu shrine in Hertsmere is of immense importance. I therefore request Mrs.Thatcher at this Conservative party conference to not let down the very people who are at one with her in her concern to create a happy, law abiding country'.

The issue of raising finance to fight for the campaign came up and I suggested that we should organise a Charity walk. It would achieve three goals. It would raise funds, motivate supporters in doing something practical and spread the word as each walker would get sponsorship from many people. On 16th.July 1999 the walk was organised starting from Wembley to the Manor. Around 3000 people took part and a substantial fighting fund was collected. It raised the morale of campaigners sky high!

On 2nd.October 1991 a fringe meeting was organised at the Labour party conference in Brighton. The venue was the Grand Hotel. The theme again was Gandhi and Justice. Labour MPs Paul Boateng, Keith Vaz, K.B.Rajan, deputy high commissioner India, Naresh Chadha and Kumar Rawal were amongst the speakers. Thousands of people gave their all to save the temple. From the media CB Patel played a pivotal role as did all the members of the temple defence committee. My personal opinion is that without Frank Ward we would have not achieved the success that we did.

There were times when the morale of devotees was rock bottom but Frank kept the pot boiling! He knew Hertsmere Council better then anyone. There were many times when we were taken in by Hertsmere Councils promises but only Frank could see through them and galvanised the Hindu community! The international angle that Frank and other members gave to the campaign was also a masterstroke! The 1994 demonstration of over 30,000 Hindus was the turning point and it is an event that will be remembered as the day when according to Frank Ward the Hindu tiger roared! The salient lesson we learnt was that we need to be much more vocal and proactive otherwise you are not taken seriously! The Hindu community came under another attack last year when a legislation was passed making Caste discrimination illegal. It took a little time for us to wake up to the implications of this law and politicians have been left in no doubt that the normally easy going Hindus have been aroused!

Nitin Mehta MBE animalahimsa@gmail.com I am the founder of the Young Indian Vegetarians Society. In the 80's and 90's we did a lot of preaching all over the country with devotees. Promoting vegetarianism and Sankirtan. In 1999 I received an MBE for services to the community. During the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Manor last year we did a project of getting 40 people to take a vegetarian pledge. We achieved our objective. I have many articles published in national papers on Hinduism, India and Vegetarianism.

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Messages from the Campaigners Meeting Nelson Mandela and George Harrison Nelson Mandela

I

was a child during the Campaign days but I ended up playing an important role!

I remember I was in Delhi when my father Riddha das met with Ranjit, a well-known ISKCON Life Member from South Africa. My father’s idea was that I would present a letter to President Nelson Mandela asking him to write to contact the then British Prime Minister, John Major MP. Ranjit agreed, and he was the one who escorted me to seeing Nelson Mandela. I remember being really nervous! I felt “who am I to talk to him?” Even though I was young I knew who he was and his status.

I remember going through so many security checks: one after another, down corridors and more checks. The security offices studied the list of names and they kept saying “"she is not on the list" pointing to me! I thought I would never get to meet Mandela! But Ranjit and another South African businessmen said "no its okay, she is with us!"

We all waited in a room for maybe half an hour before the security finally escorted us through to see Mandela.

Then it happened: one of the men introduced me to Mandela! He hugged me, kissed me on my cheek, he put his arm around my shoulder and told me to come closer, I felt very comfortable with him, like he was a grandfather. He asked me my name, where I was from, from how old was I and what I wanted to be when I was older I told him I wanted to be a lawyer!

I then told him the situation in England about the Manor and how the Council was trying to close our temple.

He acknowledged my plea listened to me attentively. As it turned out, Mandela later did contact John Major MP and I am sure it had a notable impact on the Manor’s Campaign.

George Harrison In the summer of 1996 the Manor held a Campaign Victory Dinner to celebrate the successful outcome. Me and another Gurukuli (from the Manor School) called Kiki were asked to perform a rasa lila dance to entertain special guest George Harrison.

I remember how when I met him afterwards. He was so sweet and kind, he came across like an old friend.

Later the same day I went up to him when he was sitting on his own. As soon as I came near him he said "Haribol, how are you?" I replied "can I please have your signature?" He replied “yeah sure!”. With George I felt like he was one of us. He had the presence of a Srila Prabhupada disciple and I treated him with that respect. He never had his nose the air or felt he was above us, He was just a humble sweet soul.

Vrndavanesvari dasi Former student of the Bhaktivedanta Manor School “The campaign was the most exciting period for Hinduism in Britain,” explains Vipin Aery, then general secretary of the National Council for Hindu Temples. “Over a period of three or four years we worked with Hindu community leaders, politicians, Hindu saints and leaders from all religious communities.”

“Most Hindu temples in Britain had begun in the 1960s or 1970s and the campaign served to unite them all nationwide and I think it raised the public profile of Hinduism generally. It was a period of rapid development for the Hindu community – it stamped their authority. Statutory agencies took the community seriously from that time on.”

“Other faith communities were also watching the proceedings closely because they suspected that what happened to us could also, just as easily, happen to them, too.”

“The Hindu community saw the ISKCON struggle as their own struggle. As a result, many Hindu leaders became closely involved and worked hard to save the temple. The late O.P. Sharma, of course, from Birmingham; and Chotabhai Limbachia from Preston; Ishvara Tailor, Mr. Joshi, and Dr. Nathubhai Jain. From the VHP there were Kishor Ruparelia and Dr. Bhan and Pravin Ruparelia. The Overseas Friends of India was greatly helpful and together we arranged a campaign visit to India with Naresh Chadha, myself and Atmanivedana Swami.”

“As a result of this timely trip, Mr. Kamalnath, a minister in the Indian government raised a question on the floor of the House; there was a protest march through Delhi of five hundred people; and many highly-placed Indian businessmen wrote letters of protest to British High Commissions in Bombay, New Delhi and Calcutta.”

“It was a tense time, with a great deal at stake, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Reminiscing about that period, and how unifying it all was for Hindus in this country, I almost wish there could be another campaign!”

Vipin Aery (Bimala Krishna Das) former general secretary of the NCHT

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Doing time for the Manor

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y first contact with ISKCON came at the age of 18 from a friend of mine who initiated me into two things: to the Bhagavad Gita and to smoking cigarettes whilst we snuck behind the car park opposite Copland School in Wembley. Since that date he had got me hooked on to both of these things, the smoking and the Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita.

Luckily in time I have given up the less desirable habit, and managed to keep the other one.

My friend had arranged for me to go to the temple in Watford and to meet some of the residents staying there. I had been before when I was very young, but never got a chance to understand the philosophy. This time I had a chance to speak at depth with many of the residents there and got some understanding. I really liked the universal application of the movement. There were no class, race or creed barriers, something which you do not see in every temple, church or mosque. This philosophy could be applied to anyone, and if something cannot be practiced by one and all then it cannot be an absolute truth. If it is dependent on one political stance or background it then becomes something which exists in only a certain realm whether that would be of culture or race; it is based on something which is temporary and superficial. It is not eternal, which is what this knowledge seemed to be, it claimed application to any time or place.

T- Shirt worn at the rally

The philosophy all fell in to place and completed a fragmented picture I had developed through reading and delving into various esoteric subjects, which has been my hobby practically since I could walk. I had always had a deep interest in such matters.

At secondary school a few friends started ‘toying’ with what is known as a Ouija board, inevitably rumors

spread around the class and school and the whole class got involved. A friend of mine, Glen, and I had even taken a trip to the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain in 33 Belgrave Sq, this was obtained from the Yellow Pages as there was no internet back then to gain advice about what we were doing. We were only 12 years old at the time, Suresh Vagjiani and took the tube down to cenSow & Reap tral London; so this was an A Property Investment active interest, not an armchair Company perusal - we were very experimental in our endeavors into the unknown. We were told not to tamper with a Ouija board by a concerned member of the SAGB, he said ‘it’s like leaving the front door of your house open, anyone can walk in’. But, hell when you’re 12 years old you always do the opposite of what you’re told, or maybe that was just me. The building and organization still exist at the same address; I popped in a few months ago whilst passing the area just to reminisce.

During the time I started visiting the temple an active youth group was springing up, which met regularly and was facilitated and encouraged by the Manor.

There was a campaign running to save the temple from closure, and this was gathering momentum, the group had been crystallized and named as the Pandava Sena.

As I understood back then the temple was under threat from closure due to opposition from the locals, they were complaining regarding noise and traffic issues, the premises also was registered as a college and not a place of worship; for these reason the temple was facing a real possibility of closure. The proposition from the temple management was to seal off the entrance from the village side and build a road directly from the main road thereby circumventing the village entirely as it is now. However this was met with fierce opposition from the villagers and the local council.

Shortly after we first attended the initial Pandava Sena meetings both myself and my friends who introduced me all became regulars, it seemed we found somewhere where we could channel our energies in a productive way.

This group was used to campaign for the temple to stay open through weekly meetings and running campaigns, as well as protests. Notably, one outside the

With best wishes from

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Houses of Parliament where we were instructed to stop the traffic by the temple authorities for the day by marching on to the road and sitting down in the middle of it. It was at this march I was arrested, I happened to be in the front of the crowd and when they surged forward I was grabbed by four officers and man handled to the ground. They took me to a cell and held me there for a good number of hours which was a bit worrying as I had no idea what they would do. There was a button which you would press if there was an emergency; I pressed it again and again, yet no one came.

They later questioned me and finally let me off with a caution, I was apparently arrested for inciting public violence. To date I have no idea what this exactly means; neither do I know why I was grabbed apart from perhaps happening to be the one in front of a crowd which surged forward.

At the time you could say I was in the forefront of many of the campaigns. I also remember CB attending many of the meetings and speaking along with other prominent members; Naresh Chadia was a name I kept hearing who was actively involved in the campaign.

At this time the Pandava Sena was very active as they had a mission - one goal - and most of these activities where geared towards achieving this aim. Whilst going there I used to attend many of the lectures and ask many questions, I couldn’t get enough answers.

There was a thirst which needed to be quenched, and this was the perfect tonic. Everything about the philosophy and practice really hit home for me, and gave me a good framework to begin to understand what it’s all about.

From this framework I have explored many of the aspects for myself, both by physically visiting places described in the scriptures, from Kanya Kumari, on the tip of South India, to Mount Kailash in Tibet. I have read and been to lectures, which on the surface seemed unrelated to spiritual philosophy but served to simply confirm what I have read and heard. Even subjects such as Economics and Current Politics have been pierced and described accurately in their essence; which if one were to understand with complete clarity they would not be swayed by the rubbish which is propagated in the name of truth by the main stream mediums of current knowledge.

When going to university I set up a Vedic Society which in truth spent more time hiking than doing anything else, however we did do some related activities.

A popular one being a past life regression which we organized several times with different hypnotherapists coming to regress the audience. It was great for bringing the crowds in, but the follow through was poor.

Looking back I do not think it is a healthy practice to do.

In my opinion I think it is hard enough to concentrate

Mount Kailash

on the life in front of us and let the rest take care of itself. When you’re in a position to see these revelations of past lives, they should come naturally and not because an outside influence has opened the door.

The law of karma is real and will act regardless of one’s belief in it. This understanding is what led me to name my company Sow & Reap, which I started in February 2004. The name reflects my belief in this infallible law, and also lets our clients know we try to operate with this belief in mind. It also describes investing in property very well, as you can sow a seed and reap the whole harvest.

Coming away from the movement and then seeing philosophy from other angles has given me the firm conviction of the truths and mighty weight of the knowledge contained within the books which Srila Prabhupada has written; which have been set up to be guide books for all humanity for generations to come.

Since I was a doubting Thomas it perhaps has taken many ways for the same truths to be explained and from different places for me to understand. It has also helped me see many untruths which have been preached as truths, even in the name of religion.

The purpose of this issue is to celebrate 20 years of Bhaktivedanta Manor being kept open in the UK. Asian Voice’s contribution to this survival has been invaluable, it could be said that without CB’s personal commitment to keeping Bhaktivedanta Manor open it would perhaps not be open to the public today.

With best wishes from

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Bhaktivedanta Manor

The Freedom that Flourished

Thousands of people on the lawns of Bhaktivedanta Manor observing the celebration of Diwali with lights and fireworks

T

he campaign to keep tion to families, and the Manor school and Sunday school, the varied Bhaktivedanta Manor open for public worship guaranseminars and the residential training teed freedom of worship for courses, the conferences and youth Hindus, but it also preserved the clubs all play their part in broadening legacy of a faith tradition now the aspirations of young people. The enjoyed by an increasing number Manor temple also reaches out to the of first-time visitors. Everyone is homeless and disadvantaged in the welcome, and thousands now locality, providing 900 free hot meals enjoy a unique experience, tourevery day for the past ten years.

Radha Gokulananda the presiding deties of ing the farm, the rich gardens As the size and scope of the Bhaktivedanta Manor and the beautiful shrine.

Hindu community has increased, so Schoolteachers bring their classes to learn more of too has its involvement in the activities of the temple.

Hinduism, and international tourists come to see the Thousands of place that inspired Beatle George Harrison. The milkc o nt r i b uto r s ing cows and plough-pulling bulls attract hundreds of nationwide newcomers in the spring; and the hugely popular sumnow keep it all mer festivals, with their music, theatre and colourful moving forspectacle are very well known throughout the country. wards, and Such a vibrant community is a positive contribumore than 2,000 volunteers provide all the necessary practical sup- The Deity department tries to please Their Lordships following the ancient port and expertyet simple techniques of arcana ise at the busiest times. The good work of Bhaktivedanta Manor, now far removed from its humble beginnings in 1973, has been given a chance to flourish over the past twenty years. The community would like to thank all those who have helped it this far, and request their Centred around the beautiful Deities the daily worship programme attracts thousands every week. It is led by good wishes for the future. resident monks and senior congregation members

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Tulsi Seva devotees take care of all the sacred Tulasi plants at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Tulasi leaves are supplied for the worship of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.

New Gokul provides milk for the temple and its departments, trains working oxen and ensures all the cows are fully protected, and all their needs are provided for.

The Ashram offers the opportunity of full time immersion in Krishna Consciousness. It provides training and education so they can excel in their spiritual practise, service and relationships. It helps them develop a spiritual foundation that will sustain them throughout their lives.

The farm grows a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits to provide for the temple’s kitchens and promote a more natural, rural way of life.

Organic produce grown on the farm.

The ISKCON Radha Krishna Deaf People Association (RKDA) is a community of both deaf and fully hearing devotees who wish to help each other in their spiritual lives through practical study of Bhagavad-gita. Training is offered to anyone who wishes to ommunicate in sign language.

Youth Group Pandava Sena was formed in 1994 by a group of young professionals and students who assisted the campaign to ‘Save The Manor’. Nearly 20 years on, ‘PS’ makes Krishna consciousness philosophy accessible and relevant to the youth through festivals, retreats, music,dramas, and university societies.

International tourists come to see the place that inspired Beatle George Harrison and the beautiful gardens.

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The College of Vedic Studies offers a range of educational, spiritual and practical courses based on the ancient teachings of the Vedas to all.

The Manor temple also reaches out to hundred of students, as well as the disadvantaged in the locality, providing 900 free hot meals every day for the past ten years.

Bhaktivedanta Manor Primary School - is a unique independent primary school which aims to develop a child’s full potential spiritually, morally and academically. It believes in delivering a high standard of education and preparing pupils to become individuals of good character, behaviour and competence.

Sunday School- provides a balanced system of Krishna Conscious education for 6 -18 year olds in a fun and informative way.

ISKCON Educational Services leads the way in fulfilling the aims of UK Religious Education by continuously improving as the most authentic, credible and nationally accessible supplier of educational resources on Hinduism.

Manor Preschool educates and encourages children aged 3-5 years old in their Krishna consciousness , general development and academic ability.

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Festivals at Bhaktivedanta Manor

Festivals are a vital part of community life at the Manor, involving large numbers of volunteers. They can be attended by as many as 50,000 visitors in a single Janmastami weekend. They give opportunities for the community to meet one another, share and grow in their devotion, to hear from visiting teachers and find renewed inspiration.

Special activities and projects such as dramas, exhibitions, workshops, community projects and cultural presentations — all the work of community volunteers — are shared with the community and with the general public all thanks to those who helped in the struggle to keep Bhaktivedanta Manor stay open to the public.

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O

“All’s Well that Ends Well” Philip Marsh- -a real gentleman

ne of the main opponents to the Temple during the Campaign was local villager Philip Marsh, former Chairman of the Letchmore Heath Village Trust.

During the Campaign years he had proved to be a formidable yet respectable opponent. He would do his very best to represent what he considered to be the best way to retain the sanctity of his village and, for example, bravely faced Akhandadhi das head-to-head on the BBC’s Panorama documentary “The Road to Hare Krishna”.

Initially he was sceptical when the idea of the building of an access road to divert Temple traffic away from the village came up.

However, after John Gummer MP gave the go-ahead for the building of the road, he honourably and nobly accepted the result.

As the years followed by, Philip and many other residents of Letchmore Heath noticed that the access road was working- - the tranquillity of the village was regained and the solution worked for everybody. Philip wrote a letter to Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Temple President declaring just that.

Shortly afterwards he was invited to the Manor’s annual Patron Dinner as an honoured guest, where he shared the main

Janmashtami festival. “I never thought the problem would be solved,” he said, “but it was. The way the ‘win-win’ solution was reached could be used as a formula for all disputes.”

As declared by his own family members, by the time Philip passed away he regarded the Hare Krishna devotees as his friends.

Shri Gauri Das and Philip Marsh After the initial struggle, stage with His Holiness Bhakti Caru today the relationship between Swami and spoke about the good Bhaktivedanta Manor, local vilrelations between the Temple and lagers and Hertsmere Council is a the village. He was also welcomed good one. A befitting , fair and on stage at the following diplomatic end to the entire saga.

L to R Dilip Patel, Ramesh Chadhdha and Philip Marsh. Philip was against the temple activity but after knowing about the temple he became a well wisher

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After that march, twenty years ago...

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he protest march of 35,000 people through London may have been just a single event lasting only a few hours, and all of twenty years ago, but in retrospect it can be considered as something of a turning point for Hinduism in Britain. While some might consider this suggestion an exaggeration, the fact remains: things began to change for the entire community from that time onwards.

The protest march brought everyone together with one voice, and one aim: to save the temple. But it wasn’t just about one place of worship; it was about the very survival of Hinduism in Britain.

For ten years, and through all possible avenues, the Hindu community had sought to find an acceptable solution to what was otherwise a simple planning issue. But the deep undercurrents of racial and religious prejudice that flowed through the legal and political exchanges became very apparent as time passed by.

They were largely unspoken, naturally, but actions speak much louder than words, and what the Hindu community heard was what any immigrant community has to hear: ‘You are different from us; your ways are strange and your home is elsewhere – please return there.’

By 1986, when the campaign began in earnest, it had already been some years since Margaret Thatcher’s ‘being swamped by an alien culture’ remarks in the runup to the elections of 1979, but the long shadow of her comments persisted. Hindus throughout Britain were not generally understood by the rest of the population and their religious beliefs and practises, their dress and language, festivals and food, were regarded with alternating bemusement and suspicion.

But just how do you preserve a distinct religious and cultural heritage while integrating yourself fully in the life of the nation? And how, exactly, do you pass your own culture

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on to your children without isolating them or having them excluded from mainstream society? The tension between the benefits and losses of complete cultural assimilation take some time to resolve, perhaps more than one generation.

Yet the Hindu community, in just over forty years, seems to have created a solution to the dilemma, and it has been done through an effective cultural synthesis.

On the one hand the challenge was to preserve the Hindu way of life; its principles, values and ethics and its unique cultural and artistic expressions. On the other hand, the challenge was to become a major contributor to the success of Britain as a country.

In this, Hindus in Britain seem to have been as skilled at cultural balance as their forebears were in India. There, 700 years of Mogul rule and 200 years of the British Empire could not dim the light of the flame of Hinduism, but it did prove that Hindus were good at working cooperatively with others, whatever their culture or religion. Perhaps that is why India has a very good record of religious tolerance, with a long Jewish history in the subcontinent and one of the oldest Christian communities in the world – all 52 million of them.

For Hindus in general, the similarities between religions are much more important than their differences.

Hindus are used to the notion of religious diversity because it is written right in their ancient scriptures.

Although Hinduism is thought of as a monolithic entity – the early European scholars created the term with the Anglo-Saxon suffix ‘ism’ to suggest as much – it is, in fact, a veritable family of theologies rather than one reli-

gion. For a Hindu, there is thus no notion of ‘one nation, one religion’ and to the suggestion of ‘multi-culturalism’ a Hindu would therefore remark: “Why, of course.”

So when hard-working, law-abiding Hindus in Britain, already making a significant contribution to the economy, found themselves misunderstood and somewhat maligned in the name of ‘planning restrictions’ they decided that they had to stand up for what they believed in – or lose it.

Since that time, things certainly did get better.

Those who considered themselves Hindu, or those of ‘Hindu origin,’ have seen a resurgence of self-confidence within the community, and an appreciation of

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their culture from people who knew nothing of it before.

The religious landscape has developed, with old temples, hurriedly modified in the 1970s and early 1980s from redundant churches and warehouses, being given facelifts. Elsewhere, new temples now stand proudly as part of their city’s skyline, magnificent pieces of architecture and a living witness to the beauty of India’s spiritual heritage.

Hinduism is taught in schools as part of the UK’s Religious Education curriculum, and teachers everywhere now know something of the life and beliefs of their Hindu pupils. The festival of Diwali is eagerly anticipated by schoolchildren as the celebration of ‘sweets and fireworks’ enjoyed by the entire class. Learning about Hinduism is not, however, confined merely to acting out its celebrations. Children also learn of the famous and much-loved stories from the classics such

as the Ramayana, and of the deeper meanings behind Hindu faith expressions. One unprecedented, and perhaps unexpected, area of growth in Hinduism has been the foundation of the first state-funded faith schools.

Now numbering four, in London and Leicester, these junior and senior schools have already started to show that the Hindu ethos can also foster good educational achievements.

Hinduism has also developed its own study centre, now officially affiliated to the University of Oxford. The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

Learning about Hindu festivals, and taking part in them, have not remained simply within the home or the

school classroom. Diwali has also been celebrated with great satisfaction within both the House of Commons and the Foreign Office, the Prime Minister, MPs and civil servants joining with leaders of the Hindu community in the lighting of lamps and listening to devotional songs and music. Diwali has also moved out from such privileged enclosures to assume massive proportions in several cities around the country. What began with a small, hesitant gathering of twenty in London’s Trafalgar Square is now an immense evening festival in the heart of the capital, attracting some 25,000 revellers.

From small, unnoticed events to large and highly public cultural undertakings could also summarise the rise of Hindu-origin arts, music and entertainment. Whereas traditional Indian dance and music was once the stuff of small, rented studio spaces and community halls, the sights and sounds of Bharata Natyam and Carnatic or Hindi music can now fill concert halls on London’s South Bank. In 2001 Lord Lloyd Webber surprised the critics by investing huge sums in the staging of a story about a lovestruck girl and boy in India. With brilliantly innovative music by A.R. Rahman, Bombay Dreams at London’s Victoria Apollo Theatre pulled in 3,000 people a night for two years.

Bollywood films, once shown by projector during the 1970s to Hindi speaking audiences in rented community halls, then in homes on video during the 1980s, have now been taken up by the likes of cinema chains such as Cineworld and Odeon. Complete with English subtitles, they now attract a burgeoning and very diverse audience; as does, of course, television drama and comedy with Hindu-origin characters. Just as Bollywood film was gaining a new audience, so Goodness, Gracious Me was also attracting the attention of an appreciative public. First starting on BBC radio, the show successfully transferred to television not long after. Nitin Sawhney, who formed part of the original cast of Goodness Gracious Me, has become very well known and sought-after as a composer. His music pleases both the western and eastern ear, and his albums and film soundtracks have achieved the widespread acclaim of critics and public alike.

The Indian wedding also deserves a mention if we are to describe the growth of Hindu-origin cele-

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brations and the arts. The prosperity of the Hindu community is also reflected in the importance given to one of life’s greatest celebrations. Now with its own glossy magazines and a host of related services and industries, the ‘Asian’ wedding - and for that read Hindu wedding - is now catered for by a very large trade fair at the Excel Centre.

After 1998, the Indian word mela entered the English language. Go to any large city with a Hindu population and there will be some sort of annual gathering of music, theatre, dance and food. And people of all ages and ethnicities turn up to take part. The idea of the mela was so successful that from Britain it spread into Europe, even reaching Scandinavia where it became the Asian Mela of Sweden.

And while we’re on the subject of food, it will hardly have gone unnoticed that the ubiquitous and somewhat misnamed ‘curry’ has replaced British fish and chips as the nation’s favourite food. Whether this is a myth created by Indian restaurateurs or whether it is a fact, the taste of Indian spicing is no longer the flavour of an ‘alien culture’ in Britain. We like Indian food, and supermarkets are always well-stocked with spices and ready-made dishes that would have raised the eyebrows of shoppers back in the 1970s.

In the late 1970s and through the 1980s it might have been a Hindu proprietor that ran your local corner shop, but that began to change in the next generation.

Second only to the Chinese in their efforts to see their children well-educated, the Hindu community worked tirelessly in order to send their children to university.

That educational ethic was rewarded in a high number of professional places being occupied by children from Hindu parents. For a few years, the medical professions were the most attractive, and a career as a doctor, pharmacist, dentist or optician became the very prominent choices.

Even today, it is said that Hindu-origin practitioners make up at least one quarter of the National Health Service.

72 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

Young people from Hindu families were also drawn to accountancy, banking, investment and the stock exchange; and in the legal profession they were not under-represented. It would be wrong, however, to suggest that Hindus no longer become involved in retail. They surely do, but might just as regularly be involved in industrial manufacturing and distribution.

There has also been a growth in building construction, with many business people choosing to diversify into

property investment.

Finally, the world of politics, too, has not been passed by in the gradual growth of the Hindu-origin contribution. There are now around a dozen members in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords who can say their origins are in Hindu families.

Socially and culturally, politically and professionally, in the pride of their shared identity, in their sense of unity and shared purpose, and in the field of the arts and academia, those persons living in Britain who declared themselves Hindu, or were of Hindu origin, can mark 1996 as something of a milestone. We can only imagine what the Hindu community has to offer to this great country in the coming decades.

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હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર બચાવ આંિોલન સંગ સંગ ભેરુ તો સર થાય મેરુ...

આજથી બરાબર ૨૦ વષષ પૂવવે, ૧૬ માચષ, ૧૯૯૪ના એ ‘ગોઝારા દિવસે’ લંડનની ઉત્તરે આવેલા ભદિ વેિાંત મેનોરના દ્વાર હંમેશા માટે િશષનાથથીઓ માટે બંધ કરવાનો આિેશ અમલી બનવાનો હતો. યુરોદપયન કોટટસ ઓફ હ્યુમન રાઇટ્સ (યુરોપની સવોષચ્ચ અિાલત)માં દહસિુ આતષનાિ નકારી કાઢવામાં આવ્યો. આ ઐદતહાદસક મંદિરના કેટલાક પ્રદતદનદધઓ આપણા કાયાષલય (કમષયોગ હાઉસ)માં ખૂબ હતાશ થઇને પધાયાષ. પારાવાર પ્રયત્નો કરવા છતાં, લાખો પાઉસડ કાનૂની લડતમાંખચષવા છતાં, શાસકો ટસના મસ થતાં નહોતા. આથી હરે કૃષ્ણ મંદિર બચાવો આંિોલન સમેટી લેવાની મજબૂરી અનુભવતા આ કૃષ્ણ ભિો અત્યંત દચંદતત અનેવ્યદથત હતા. આ પ્રશ્નની પૂવષ ભૂદમકાથી હું દવદિત હતો. મારી સમજ પ્રમાણે દહસિુ પ્રજાની માગ વાજબી હતી. વૈદિક પરંપરા અનુસાર પરમ તત્ત્વની સાધના માટે દિટન તેમ જ િેશાવરના દહસિુઓ માટે લવીકૃત બનેલું શ્રદ્ધાલથાન જો કાયમ માટે બંધ થઇ જાય તે આપણા ધમષના લાખો અનુયાયીઓ, આપણી ભાદવ પેઢી અનેઆપણી શ્રદ્ધા માટેઅલવીકાયષછેતેમ મનેલપષ્ટપણેસમજાયું. કાયાષલયમાંઆવેલા મંદિરના પ્રદતદનદધઓ સમક્ષ મારો અદભપ્રાય રજૂકરતાં કહ્યું કે હવે જનમત જગાવવા દસવાય બીજો કોઇ દવકલ્પ નથી. ધમષ માટે આપણે ઝઝૂમી રહ્યા છીએ. આપણે સનાતન દહસિુ ધમષની રક્ષા માટે, અને તેમાં પણ વળી ભગવાન શ્રીકૃષ્ણની જ્યાં આરાધના થતી હોય તેવા લથળના વ્યાજબી અદધકાર માટે લડી રહ્યા છીએ ત્યારે શરણાગદત લવીકારવાનું દવચારાય જ નહીં. બધા આ વાત સાથેસહમત હતા. સાથેસાથેજ એમ પણ નક્કી થયુંકેઆ સમલયાના ઉકેલ માટેનો આપણો સંઘષષસંપૂણષશાંદતમય અનેકાયિાનેઆધીન હોવો જોઇએ. જનતા જનાિષનને આ સમલયાના સઘળા પાસાઓથી દવદિત કરવા, તેમને દવશ્વાસમાં લઇને આંિોલનમાંસવષપ્રકારેસંકદલત કરવાની અમેસહુએ પ્રદતજ્ઞા લીધી. જંગમાં જીતના દૃઢ દનધાષર સાથે ચળવળના પ્રચાર-પ્રસાર તેમ જ રાજકીય અને સત્તાદધશો સાથેના સમસવયની જવાબિારી મને સોંપાઇ. દહસિુઓની શ્રદ્ધા, સદિયતા, એકતા અને દવજય દવના બીજો કોઇ દવકલ્પ લવીકાયષ નથી તેવો દનશ્ચય અને લાગતાવળગતા સહુ કોઇના તન, મન અને ધનના સંપૂણષ સમપષણ થકી જ આપણેદવજય ધ્વજ ફરકાવી શક્યા. ભગવાન શ્રીકૃષ્ણ અને આપણા સવષ િેવી-િેવતાઓની કૃપા, ઇલકોનના પ્રેરકની સાધના અને ભદિ વેિાંત મેનોરના સંતો, અગ્રણીઓ, લવયંસવે કો અનેદિનપ્રદતદિન ઉમેરાતા જતા સમથષકો દ્વારા આ ઝુંબેશનેખૂબ વેગ મળ્યો. ૨૦ વષષના વ્હાણા વહી ગયા, પરંતુઆપણી ધમષપ્રણાલી ઉપર અવારનવાર સંકટ તોળાયા કરેતેવેળાએ હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર બચાવો આંિોલનનો પિાથષપાઠ અવશ્ય ઉપયોગી બને તેમ છે. ૨૦ વષષમાં ઉિભવેલ અત્રેની આપણી નવી પેઢી ભૂતકાળના ભવ્ય સંગઠન અનેસમપષણથી માદહતગાર બને, કૃષ્ણભદિનું આ ફલક વધુદવશાળ અનેબળવતર બનેતેવા કેટલાય શુભ આશયોથી આ દવશેષાંક તૈયાર થયો છે. આ સંિભષમાં વષોષના વષોષ સુધી, કંઇ કેટલાય કાયષિમોમાં, માઇલોના માઇલો ચાલીને તો બરફ-વષાષના તોફાનો વચ્ચે પણ ડગ્યા વગર ચોવીસેય કલાક સત્તાદધશોની ઓફફસો અને દનવાસલથાનોની સામે શાંદતમય ધરણાંપ્રિશષન કયાષ હતા. ૧૬ માચષ, ૧૯૯૪ના ભવ્ય સરઘસમાં આપણા ફકશોરફકશોરીઓ, યુવક-યુવતીઓ, પ્રૌઢો-વડીલો, માતાઓ-બહેનો સદહત િુરસુિરથી હજારો લોકો સામેલ થયા હતા. ભારત બહાર ધમષ-આલથા અને પરંપરાના જતન-સંવધષન માટે કિાચ આટલી મોટી સંખ્યામાં આપણે શદિસામર્યષ પ્રિશષન કયુ​ું નથી. સવવ પ્રથમ તો આ આંદોલનના બધા જ તબક્કામાં કોઇ પણ રીતે જેઓ જોડાયા હતા તે સહુને આ વવશેષાંક, આ ઉજવણી સમવપવત થાય છે. દલંસકસઇન ફફલ્ડમાંથી હજારો શ્રદ્ધાળુઓ સેસટ્રલ લંડનના હોબોનષ નજીક ફકંગ્સવેમાં મળતા હતા ત્યારે એક તબક્કે હું ઊંચા લથળે જઇ પહોંચ્યો અને જોયું તો ચાલવામાં તકલીફ હોય, એક કે બન્ને હાથમાં વોકીંગ લટીક હોય, વ્હીલચેરમાંબેઠા હોય તેવા લોકો પણ સરઘસમાંસામેલ થયેલા જોવા મળતા હતા. કૂચમાં દહસિુ, જૈન, શીખ, બૌદ્ધ સમુિાયના લોકો તો સામેલ હતા જ, પરંતુયહુિીઓ, દિલતીઓ અનેમુસ્લલમ દબરાિરો પણ હતા. તમામના હોઠો પર એક જ વાત હતી - રંગભેિ ન જ જોઇએ. હૈયેએક જ વાત હતી - હરે

કૃષ્ણ મંદિરના દ્વાર િશષનાથથીઓ માટે ખુલ્લા રહેવા જ જોઇએ. દવશેષાંકમાં પ્રકાદશત સંખ્યાબંધ ફોટોગ્રાફમાં આવા પૂણ્ય આત્માઓ જોવા મળે છે. આ સહુને મારા વંદન કરું છું. સરઘસમાં સામેલ લોકોમાં મોટા મોટા રાજકારણીઓ, દવદ્વાનો, શ્રેષ્ઠીઓ, નાના-મોટા વેપારીઓથી માંડીને કમષચારીઓ પણ આપ સહુ જોઇ શકશો. આ આંિોલનના સમયગાળામાં કમષયોગ હાઉસ, મારુંદનવાસલથાન, માનનીય ભારતીય હાઇ કદમશનર એલ. એન. દસંઘવીનું સત્તાવાર દનવાસલથાન, એકમાત્ર એદશયન એમપી ફકથ વાઝની ઓફફસ, સહુના સહયોગી અને બેસકર એવા આઇ. કે. પટેલનું દનવાસલથાન, તેમની ક્વીસસ હોટેલ અને આવા લથળોએ િેકફાલટ, લંચ, દડનર, ચા-પાણી એવા કેટલાય પ્રસંગે સેંકડો મહાનુભાવો સાથે દવચારદવદનમય કરાયો. આપણી માગણીઓ શાંતદચત્તે અને દવદધવત્ રીતે સમજાવવામાં કંઇ કેટલાય મિ​િરૂપ બસયા. કેટલાક આ રેલીમાંપણ જોડાયા. કેટલાકેતપાસ પંચ સમક્ષ દનવેિનો આપ્યા. તો કેટલાકેપત્રો-દપદટશન મોકલ્યા. ગાંધીચીંધ્યા માગષનેઆપણેવળગી રહ્યા. આ સમગ્ર પ્રસંગ િરદમયાન પર્થરબાજી તો ઠીક નાની કાંકરી પણ ફેંકાઇ નથી. એક પણ કારનો કાચ તૂટ્યો નથી. સૂત્રોચ્ચારમાં પણ સંયમ અને સભ્યતા ચૂક્યા નથી. એક પણ વ્યદિએ અપશબ્િ ઉચ્ચાયોષનથી. આશરે૩૫ હજાર લોકોની કૂચ પાલાષમેસટ હાઉસ જઇ પહોંચી હતી. િેખાવો થયા. જંગી સભા પણ યોજાઇ. પરંતુ નાનાસરખો પણ અદનચ્છનીય બનાવ નથી બસયો. મને મેટ્રોપોલીટન પોલીસ કદમશનરે કહ્યુ હતું કે દહસિુઓના ધરણાં-પ્રિશષન િરદમયાન ખૂબ ઓછો પોલીસ ફોસષ ફાળવવો પડ્યો છે. આ સાથે જ બીજી પણ એક અગત્યની વાતનો હુંઉલ્લેખ કરવા માગુંછું. દિટન જીવંત લોકશાહી િેશ છે. સંબંદધત સત્તાધીશોથી માંડીનેસયાય તંત્રે એક તબક્કેઆપણી લાગણી અનેમાગણી ઠુકરાવી, પણ જ્યારેઆપણેતેમને આપણા મૂલ્યોની અને આપણી સયાયપૂણષ માગણીની મહત્તા સમજાવી ત્યારે તેઓ દનણષય બિલતા ખચકાયા નથી. આંદોલનમાં હું વવજય-પરાજયની વાત કરતો નથી. આમાંબધાનો વવજય થયો છે. દવરોધ કરનારા પણ અંતે આપણી વાત લવીકારે તેથી દવશેષ શું જોઇએ? કાળિમે આ યાત્રાધામ જે લથળે આવ્યું છે તેની સૌથી નજીકના ગ્રામજનો કે જેમણે મંદિરનો સૌથી ઉગ્ર દવરોધ કયોષ હતો તેના પ્રદતદનદધએ પણ મંદિરે આવીને લવીકાયુ​ું હતું કે (મંદિરનો દવરોધ) અમારી ભૂલ હતી. તમે જીત્યા, પણ અમે તમને આવકારીએ છીએ. આ દિટન છે, સભ્યસમાજની પરંપરા છે. આ દવશેષાંકની તમામ વાંચનસામગ્રી ભદિ વેિાંત મેનોરના સંતોકાયષકતાષઓ દ્વારા તૈયાર કરવામાંઆવી છે. જેમાંતેમણે‘ગુજરાત સમાચાર’, ‘સયૂલાઇફ’, ‘એદશયન વોઇસ’ પ્રકાશનોનેકેવ્યદિગત તેના પ્રકાશક-તંત્રીને દબરિાવવામાંકોઇ કચાશ રાખી નથી. અમેતેમની આ ઉિારતા માટેઆભારી છીએ, પરંતુ સાચા યશની અવધકારી તો આપણી ભવ્ય પરંપરા છે, આ મંદિરના પ્રણેતા છે. આ મંદિરના અધ્યક્ષ, ટ્રલટીઓ, મેનજ ે મેસટ કદમટી, પેટસસષ કાઉસ્સસલ, પાંડવ સેના અને નામી-અનામી સેંકડો-હજારો લવયંસેવકો પણ એટલા જ યશના અદધકારી છે. અમે (હું તેમજ મારા કાયાષલયના સાથીઓ) તો માત્ર દનદમત્ત બસયા છીએ. તેરા તુજ કો અપવણ, ક્યા લાગેમેરા... લી. આપનો સહૃિયી સી.બી. પટેલ પ્રકાશક-તંત્રીના હરેદિષ્ના, જય માતાજી, ૐ નમઃ દશવાય

20th Anniversary 2014 -The Turning Point

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દહન્દુત્વના મૂળ અને‘હરેકૃષ્ણ’

આધુનિક ભારત નિશ્વિી સૌથી મોટી લોકશાહી છે અિે ૧.૨૫ નિનલયિ​િી િતતી સાથેનિશ્વ અથથતત્રં માંતેિો નસતારો ઉદય પામી રહ્યો છે. આમ છતાં, આજે પણ ભારતિા સાંતકૃનતક અિે રાજકીય જીિ​િમાં ધમથિી ભૂનમકા ખાસ મહત્ત્િ ધરાિે છે. ભારતિી િતતીિા ૮૦ ટકાથી િધુ લોકો પોતાિેનહસદુતરીકેઓળખાિેછે. નહસદુમિ​િા મોટા ભાગિા સંિદાયો પોતાિી માસયતાઓિા મૂળ સંતકૃત ભાષામાં લખાયેલા સાંતકૃનતક, િૈજ્ઞાનિક, ધાનમથક અિે તમિજ્ઞાિ​િા પાઠોિા સંિપે સાર સમાિ િાચીિ િેદગ્રંથોમાંહોિાિુંદશાથિેછે. િેદગ્રંથોમાંિાચીિ શલ્યનચકકમસા, ગનણતશાતત્રો, શબ્દ-ધ્િનિશાતત્રો અિેતકકશાતત્રિુંપણ તથાિ હોિાં છતાં તેઓ મુખ્યમિે ઉપનિષદો તરીકે ઓળખાતા દશથિશાતત્રીય નિભાગો તેમ જ પુરાણો તરીકેઓળખાતાંસંિનંધત નિ​િરણો અિેિૈચાનરક ચચાથિા ગ્રંથો માટેિધુિખ્યાત છે. ભગવદ ગીતાની હસ્તપ્રત, કાશ્મીર મોટા ભાગિા નહસદુ સંિદાયોમાં પાયાતિરૂપે ત્રણ તમિજ્ઞાિીય લખાણો રહેલા છે. િથમ ઉપનિષદો છે, આ પછી તેમાંથી તારિાયેલાં સૂત્રો કે એ.સી. ભનિ​િેદાંત તિામી િભુપાદ દ્વારા ૧૯૬૯માં લંડિમાં શરૂ થયેલી નસદ્ધાંતોિો ગ્રંથ િેદાંત સૂત્ર છે. છેલ્લે દરેક નહસદુ ઘરમાં જોિાં મળતો ગ્રંથ મૂિમેસટ સમગ્ર નિશ્વમાં૬૦૦ કેસદ્રો ધરાિેછે. ભારતમાંતેિા ૭૫ કેસદ્ર છે ભગિદ્ ગીતા છે. અનત નિશાળ અિે ઐનતહાનસક મહાકાવ્ય મહાભારતિા એમાંયુિા પેઢી સનહત પરંપરાિાદીઓ માટેએકસમાિ આકષથણ િસયાંછે. કેટલાંક િકરણોમાંભગિાિ કૃષ્ણ અિે આંદોલિ િમાણમાં િ​િું હોિાં િીર અજુિથ િચ્ચેિો સંિાદ એ ભગિદ્ છતાં માસયતાઓ અિે નિનધઓ િ​િાં ગીતા છે. િથી. મંનદરોમાં કરાતી િેદીકપૂજાિા કોઈ પણ તથળે રહેતાં નહસદુઓ મૂળ પંચરાત્ર આગમો, યજુિદિી મે મહાભારત તેમ જ અસય િે લોકનિય જાહેર ઉપાસિાનિનધઓ, ગૃહ સૂત્રોમાં ગ્રંથો રામાયણ અિે ભાગિત દશાથિલે ી અિતરણ નિનધઓ, તેમ જ પુરાણિી કથાઓ તરફ શ્રધ્ધા-આદર િતથમાિમાં િખ્યાત ‘હરે રામ હરે ધરાિેછે. આ ત્રણ ગ્રંથોિી કથાઓ કૃષ્ણ’ મંત્રિા મૂળ ઉપનિષદોમાં હજારો િષથથી િાટ્ય, નૃમય, નચત્ર, જણાય છે. ISKCON દ્વારા તથાપમય, નશલ્પ, સંગીત અિે ગીત ભાગિત પુરાણ અિે ભગિદદ્વારા તથા િતથમાિ કાળમાંકફલ્મ અિે ગીતાિો નિપુલ િસાર ૧૦૦થી િધુ ટેલીનિઝિ ઉપર નસરીયલ તિરૂપે ભાષામાંકરાયો છે. મૂતતથિરૂપ ધારણ કરતી રહી છે. આ ઉપરાંત, ‘હરેકૃષ્ણ’િા સભ્યો વૈદદક દહન્દુધમમસદીઅો પુરાણો છેએની સાક્ષી રૂપ અંગકોર વાટ મજિૂત તમિજ્ઞાિીય આધાર અિે અિે સમથથકો શ્રદ્ધાિી દીઘથ પરંપરા (કમ્બોદિયા)નાંઅા પૌરાદણક મંદદરો શાશ્વત વૃતાંતો તથા િૈનતક મૂલ્યો સાથે ‘ભનિ’િો પણ નહતસો િસયા છે. આ સિાતિ નહસદુ ધમમે િાચીિ કાળથી સુધારાિાદી ચળિળ તેિા સમતાિાદ આજ સુધી અસ્તતમિ જાળિી રાખ્યુંછે. એ િાિતેજરા પણ આશ્ચયથથતુંિથી તથા જ્ઞાનતિથાિી ઘણી અસમાિતાઓિેિકારિા માટેજાણીતી છે. ૧૧મી કે કાળચક્રમાં પાર ઉતરેલાં નસદ્ધાંતો-નિચારોિે હિે િાકીિા નિશ્વએ પણ સદીિા મહાિ સંત રામાિુજાચાયથિા સમયથી ‘ભનિ’ આંદોલિે માસયા છે. તરછોડાયેલાં લોકોિે ગળે લગાવ્યાં હતાં. ધાનમથક રૂનઢઓ યોગ્ય છે, છતાં ઈસટરિેશિલ સોસાયટી ફોર કૃષ્ણા કોસ્સસયસિેસ (ISKCON) સમાજિા સૌથી અસુરનિત અથિા જરૂનરયાતમંદોિા ભોગે ચલાિાય િનહ િામથી નિશ્વભરમાં િનસદ્ધ સંગઠિ​િે ‘હરે કૃષ્ણ મૂિમેસટ’ તરીકે પણ તેમ તેઓ માિતા હતા. ઓળખિામાંઆિેછે, જેસૌથી િાચીિ સંતકૃનતિું િ​િુંકલેિર છે. ૭૩ િષથિા આ જ ભાિ​િાએ શ્રી ચૈતસય મહાિભુ (૧૪૮૬-૧૫૩૪)િા

કૃષ્ણભદિમાંલીન ચૈતન્ય મહાપ્રભુ(૧૪૮૬-૧૫૩૪)

74 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

અિુયાયીઓિે આધુનિક કાળિા આંદોલિ​િી િેરણા આપી હતી. તેમણે સામંતશાહી ભારતિી યાત્રાઓ કરી હતી. નિદ્વાિો, રાજકારણીઓ અિેમૂળ શીખ ઘમથગરુ​ુ ગુરુ િાિક જેિા ધાનમથક િેતાઓ તેમ જ હજારો ગ્રામિાસીઓિે તેઓ મળ્યા હતા. તેમિા ઉપદેશ, ગીતો, કરુણામય હૃદય અિે રોગ મટાડિાિા ચમમકારોથી તેઓ ઘરઘરમાં જાણીતા િ​િી ગયા હતા. તેમણે તમામ ભનિશાતત્રોિી એકતા દશાથિી હતી. તેમણે સમજાવ્યુ હતુ કે આધ્યાસ્મમક તિભાિ અિે નદવ્યતાિો અિુભિ ઈશ્વરિા હજાર િામોમાંથી એક િામિા ગાયિ અિે રટણથી મેળિી શકાય છે. તેઓ પોતે ભગિદ્ ગીતાિા ગાયક અિે ભાગિત પુરાણિા િાયક કૃષ્ણિા ત્રણ િામ ધરાિતા શબ્દમંત્ર ઉચ્ચારતા હતા. આ પછીિી સદીઓમાં શ્રી ચૈતસય મહાિભુિું આંદોલિ સમગ્ર ભારતમાં ફેલાતું ગયું હતુ.ં ૧૯૩૦િા િારંનભક દાયકામાં ‘હરે રામ હરે કૃષ્ણ’ ઉદગારો અિે ભગિાધારી સાધુઓ દરેક શહેરોમાં

HindutwaKTM Guj Pg 74-75_A4 Temp 14/03/2014 17:33 Page 75

સામાન્ય બની ગયા હતા. ૧૫ જાન્યુઆરી, ૧૯૩૫ના દિવસેપૂવવ ભારતના બંગાળમાં માયાપુર ગામે શ્રી ચૈતન્યમહાપ્રભુના ઐદતહાદસક દનવાસ ખાતે બંગાળના દિદિશ ગવનવર, વેવલલીના પ્રથમ વાઈકાઉન્િ (પાછળથી યુકને ા હોમ સેિ​િે રી) સર જ્હોન એન્ડરસનનુંભવ્ય થવાગત કરાયું હતુ.ં ચૈતન્ય આંિોલનના આધ્યાત્મમક જનક શ્રીલા ભદિદસદ્ધાંત ઠાકુર પ્રભુપાિ તેમના યજમાન હતા. થવાદિષ્ટ ભોજન અને ભદિગીતોના પરંપરાગત સંગીતમય નૃમયોથી મનોરંજન સાથેનો આ દિવસ સર જ્હોન એન્ડરસનેભરપૂર માણ્યો હતો.

ભનિનસદ્ધાંત

l ‘સંથકૃત ભાષા ગમે તેિલી પ્રાચીન છતાં સૌથી અિભૂત માળખુંધરાવેછે. તેગ્રીક ભાષા કરતા પણ વધુસંપણ ૂ ,વ લેદિન કરતા વધુશબ્િ બાહુલતા તેમ જ આ બન્નેભાષા કરતા વધુશુદ્ધતા ધરાવેછે.’

- સર વિવિયમ જોન્સ, વિવિશ પૂિવીય પ્રાચીનવિદ્યા વનષ્ણાત l ‘એ બાબત તો થપષ્ટ જ છેકે, પાચચામય આરંભના પ્રકરણનો અંત માનવ જાતના થવદવનાશમાંન આવે તેમાિેભારતીય અંત જ હોવો જોઈશે. ઈદતહાસની આ જોખમી િણે, એકમાત્ર ભારતીય માગવ જ માનવજાત માિેમુદિનો માગવબની શકેછે.’

- ડો. આનો​ોલ્ડ િોયન્બી, વિવિશ ઈવતહાસવિદ l જ્યારેમનેકોઈ શંકા ઉપજેછે, મારી સામેદનરાશા છવાઈ જાય છેઅનેદિદતજમાંઆશાનુંકોઈ કકરણ જોવાંન મળતુંહોય મયારેહુંભગવદ્ ગીતોનો આશ્રય લઉ છું અને મને આશ્વાસન આપે તેવો ચલોક શોધું છુ. અનેહુંતમકાળ આ પીડાકારી િુઃખમાંહસવા લાગું છુ.ં મારુંજીવન કરૂણાંદતકાઓથી ભરેલુંછેઅનેમારા પર તેની કોઈ િેખીતી અને કાયમી અસર જોવાં મળતી ન હોય તો તેનું કારણ ભગવદ્ ગીતાનો

એ.સી. ભદિવેિાંત થવામી પ્રભુપાિના ચૂથત અનુયાયી શ્રી ભદિદસદ્ધાંત ૩૪ વષવ પછી શ્રી ચૈતન્ય મહાપ્રભુના ઉપિેશોનેલંડન લાવ્યા હતા. તેમની અથાક ઊજાવના પદરણામે આ પ્રદસદ્ધ મંત્રોચ્ચારના પડઘા દવશ્વના શ્રી રામાનુચાયય(૧૦૧૭-૧૧૩૭) શહેરોની શેરીઓમાં તથા કરોડો ઘરમાં સંભળાઈ રહ્યાંછે. ઉપિેશ જ છે. સેન્ટ્રલ લંડનની શેરીઓમાં૧૬ માચવ, ૧૯૯૪ના દિવસેસમગ્ર યુનાઈિેડ - મહાત્મા ગાંધી કકંગ્ડમમાંથી ૩૫,૦૦૦થી વધુ દહન્િુ, શીખો અને જૈન લોકો ભદિવેિાંત મેનોર બંધ કરવા સામે દવરોધ પ્રિદશવત કરવા ઉમિી પડ્યાં મયારે પણ આ મહામંત્રની ગૂંજના પડઘાં પડતાં હતાં. દિદિશ દવદ્વાનો કહે છે કે સરકારે ૩૦૦ વષવમાં પ્રથમવાર શાંત, શાલીન અને કાનૂનપાલક આથથાનું ધાદમવકથથળ બંધ કરવા આિેશ કયોવ હતો. પ્રથમ વખત જ દહન્િુઓ દિ​િનમાં જાહેર દવરોધ િશાવવવા એકસંપ થયાં હતાં. ઘણાંને તો પ્રથમ વખત જ જાણ થઈ હતી કે તેમને દવરોધ કરવાની પરવાનગી મળી છે. તાકીિની નવદેશમાંનવચરણ કરતા શ્રીલા પ્રભુપાદ સાથે જોકે, પદરત્થથદતએ તેમની પુષ્પગુચ્છ અનેપુષ્પહારથી સન્માનનત સર જ્હોન એન્ડરસન (વચ્ચે)ને "ઇસ્કોન"ના અનુયાયીઅો દોરી જતા શ્રીલા ભનિનસધ્ધાંતા પાસેઅન્ય કોઈ દવકલ્પ રહેવા િીધો ન હતો. l ભારત માનવજાતની માતૃભૂદમ છેઅનેસંથકૃત યુરોપની ભાષાઓની માતા ભગવદ્ ગીતાના ઉપિેશોએ મહામમા ગાંધી સદહત અનેક લોકોને છે ઃતેઆપણી ફીલોસોફીની માતા છે; આરબો થકી આપણા મોિા ભાગના પોતાના અદધકારોના રિણની પ્રેરણા આપી છે. રાષ્ટ્રદ પતા િરરોજ સવારે ગદણતોની માતા છે; બુદ્ધ થકી દિત્ચચયાદનિીમાંદનદહત આિશોવની માતા ભગવદ્ ગીતાનુંવાંચન કરતાહતા અનેતેના ઉપિેશના આધારેજ અદહંસક છે ; ગ્રામીણ સમુિાય થકી થવરાજ્ય અને લોકશાહીની માતા છે. પ્રદતકાર આંિોલનનુંસજવન કયુ​ુંહોવાનુંતેમણેકહ્યુંહતુ.ં આ જ રીતે, માદિ​િન ભારતમાતા અનેક રીતે આપણા સહુની માતા છે... દહમાલયનો અવરોધ લ્યુથર કકંગે તેમના શાંદતપૂણવ નાગદરક અદધકાર દવરોધની પ્રેરણા મહામમા પાર કરીને પણ ભારતે પત્ચચમને વ્યાકરણ અને તકક, જીવનિશવન અને ગાંધીમાંથી જ મેળવી હતી. બોધકથાઓ, સંમોહનદવદ્યા અનેશેતરંજ, અને આ તમામથી વધુસંખ્યાઓ આજેઆપણેદવશ્વ સમિની સમથયાઓ અનુસાર રાજકીય અનેઆદથવક અને િશાં શ પધ્ ધદત જેવી ભેિ આપી છે... ભારત આપણનેસદહષ્ણુતા અને ઉપાયો દવચારીએ છીએ, મયારેપ્રાચીન સભ્યતાના અવાજ પૂવવતરફ જોવાનું પદરપક્વ મનની સૌમ્યતા, સમજણની ભાવના અને તમામ માનવો માિે પણ મૂલ્યવાન બની રહેશ.ે ભારતનો િીઘવ ઈદતહાસ અને આધ્યાત્મમક એકમવ અનેશાંદત બિતા પ્રેમના પાઠ શીખવશે.’ સાદહમયની મહાન સંપદિ ચોક્કસપણે આગામી પેઢી માિે પ્રેરણારૂપ બની - વિ​િ ડુરાન્િ, અમેવરકન ઈવતહાસવિદ રહેશ.ે

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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HKTM_MahasangramGuj Pg 76-82_A4 Temp 14/03/2014 17:34 Page 76

મંદદરનેબચાવવાનો મહાસંઘષિ

તલથપશશી ધ્યાન અથવા િેમ અને ટવશ્વાસ થકી ટિટિશ ટિન્દુ મંટદરને બંધ થતું બચાવવા ઈશ્વરના સાક્ષાત્કાર દ્વારા આપણા માનવીય ૧૦ વષષનો સંઘષષઆધુટનક ધાટમષક ઈટતિાસમાં સંતાપમાંથી મુટિ મેળવવા ઈચ્છે છે. આ બધાં માન્યામાં ન આવે તેવી વાત છે. આ કથા ધમોષમાં જે સત્ય અને પટવત્રતા છે તેને કેથોટલક લગભગ અસંભવ કિેવાય તેવા સંજોગો સામે ચચષ નકારતું નથી. ઘણી બાબતોમાં ચચષની સ્થથર ટનષ્ઠા અનેમક્કમતાની લડતની છે. નવી ભૂટમમાંિાચીન આથથાના અનુયાયીઓ, ટિન્દુ માન્યતાઓથી અલગ પડતાં િોય તેવા ટનયમો સમુદાય કેવી રીતે પોતાની આથથાને બચાવવા અને ઉપદેશો, તમામ લોકોને િકાટશત કરે તેવા સંગટિત બન્યો, સરકાર સામેિક્કર લીધી અને સત્યના કકરણના િટતટબંબ સમાન આવા જીવન પટરણામથવરુપ તેમણે કેવી રીતે સફળતા અને આચરણના માગોષ િત્યે ચચષ સન્માનની િાંસલ કરી તેની કથા પણ તે કિે છે. દૃટિથી ટનિાળે છે.’ ભગવાં ઝભ્ભામાં સજ્જ એક વ્યટિનું ચચષદ્વારા ટિન્દુત્ત્વના ઉપદેશો મિાન ગૌરવને સપ્િેમ્બર ૧૯૬૯માં િીથ્રો એરપોિટ પર પાત્ર િોવાનું જાિેર કરાયા પછી પસ્ચચમના યુવાવગષને તેમાં રસ પડ્યો િતો અને સૌિથમ આગમન થયુંત્યારેકોઈનેપણ કલ્પના ન િતી વખત સંતોને યુએસ આવવા અને ઈંસ્લલશ કેટવટચત્ર પોશાક સાથેના આ વૃદ્ધ િવાસી અને ભાષામાં શીખવવા પરવાનગી અપાઈ િતી. તેમણે આપેલો સંદેશ એક ટદવસ યુનાઈિેડ ઉલ્લેખનીય િકીકત એ છે કે ચાર યુવાન કકંલડમના િજારો ટિન્દુ, જૈન અને શીખ અંગ્રેજોએ સાથે મળી ‘ધ બીિલ્સ’ નામે પોતાના લોકોને એકસંપ બનાવી દેશે. ઈંલલેન્ડમાં ટવશેષ ધ્યેય સાથે આવેલા આ લોકટિય ગીતોથી સંગીતિાંટત સજીષ િતી. તેઓ ૭૩ વષષના વૃદ્ધ સાધુ એ.સી. ભટિવેદાંત સમગ્ર ટવશ્વમાં િખ્યાત થયા િતા અને તેમને થવામી િભુપાદ િતા. તેઓ પોતાની સાથે તમામ ભારતીય વથતુમાં રસ જાલયો િતો. તેઓ ભગવાન કૃષ્ણ િત્યેનો અગાધ િેમ અને એ.સી. ભટિવેદાંત થવામી િભુપાદના િથમ ભારતમાં લાખો લોકો દ્વારા વંચાતા ભગવદ અમેટરકન અનુયાયીઓ બન્યા. બીિલ્સેિરેકૃષ્ણ ગીતા અનેભાગવત પુરાણ જેવી ઉત્તમ ધાટમષક મંત્રોચ્ચાર કરતા થવામીનું લોંગ પ્લે રેકોટડિંગ હીથ્રો એરપોટટપર શ્રીલા પ્રભુપાદનુંસેંકડો અનુયાયીઓએ સ્વાગત કયુિહતુ કૃટતઓ ટવશે આજીવન ટવદ્વતા લઈ આવ્યા સાંભળ્યું િતું, જેનું તેમને ઘેલું લાલયુ િતુ. િતા. તેમની પાસે થોડાં જ નાણા િતા અને ‘હરે કૃષ્ણ’ મંત્ર કોઈ સંથથાનુંપીિબળ પણ ન િતું, પરંતુતેમની પાસેમજબૂત આંતરશટિ થવામી િભુપાદ ઈંલલેન્ડ આવ્યા ત્યારે ભટિવેદાંત થવામીને અનેિાચીન આથથામાંઅન્ય લોકોનેસિભાગી બનાવવાની મિેચ્છા િતી. એરપોિટથી લેવા જ્િોન લેનોને તેની રોલ્સ રોઈસ કાર મોકલી િતી અને મૂળ ભારતના પૂવષમાં બંગાળના કલકત્તાના આ સાધુએ જન્મના તેમને એથકોિ નજીક ટિ​િેનિથિટમાં લેનોનના કન્ટ્રી ટનવાસે લઈ જવાયા ઉપખંડથી ટવશ્વના અન્ય છેડા પર આવેલા શિેર ન્યુ યોકકમાં સૌિથમ િતા. તેઓ પોતાના થોડા અનુયાયીઓ સાથે કેિલાંક સપ્તાિ અિીં પોતાનુંટમશન આરંભ્યુિતુ. તેસમયેયુએસએ સરકારે૪૫ વષષપછી કડક રિેવાના િતા. મંત્રોચ્ચારની અસર શુંથાય તેસમજવા િટસદ્ધ સંગીતકારો ઈટમગ્રેશન કાયદાઓ િળવાંબનાવ્યા િોવાથી તેમનેત્યાંિવેશ મળી ગયો િતો. યુદ્ધ પછીના ઈટતિાસના સમયગાળામાંથી પસાર થતાં અમેટરકામાં િથથાટપત ધોરણોને પડકારાઈ રહ્યાં િતાં. આ ‘િટત-સંથકૃટત’માં મુખ્યત્વે યુવાનો સટિતના લોકો ‘પૂવષના શાણપણ’ સટિત નવા ટવચારો અને અટભવ્યટિના િકારોમાં રસ લેતા થયા િતા. ટિસ્ચચયન ધાટમષક સંઘને પણ વેટિકનના િબુદ્ધ અને થીઓલોટજકલ તારણોથી પડકાર અપાયો િતો. કેથોટલક કાટડટનલ્સ અને ધમષટનષ્ણાતોની ત્રણ વષષની બેિકોના પટરણામે ચચષની િથથાટપત ટવચારધારામાં મૂળભૂત પટરવતષન આવ્યું િતું. પોપ પોલ છિ​િાએ તાજેતરમાં જ ભારતની ભદિવેદાંત મેનોરમાંરાધા-કૃષ્ણની મનોહારી મૂદતિઅો મુલાકાત લીધી િતી. વેટિકન દ્વારા ‘ડેક્લેરેશન ઓન ધ રીલેશનટશપ ઓફ પોપ પોલ છઠ્ઠા ભારતની સાથે વાતચીત કરવાના િતા. આના પટરણામે પરંપરાગત ટિન્દુ મંત્રજાપે મુલાકાત લેનારા પ્રથમ દિસ્તી ધ ચચષ િુ નોન-ટિસ્ચચયન રીટલજીયન્સ’ આધુટનક સંગીતના વાઘા પિેયા​ાં, જે ટિટિશ રેકોટડિંગ ઈન્ડથટ્રી માિે િથમ વડા ધમિગુરુ હતા દથતાવેજ જારી કરાયો િતો. ઘિના િતી. િાલ ‘રાધા કૃષ્ણ િેમ્પલ’ નામે ઓળખાતા જૂથને રાતોરાત દથતાવેજમાં પોપે જણાવ્યું િતું સફળતા િાપ્ત થઈ િતી. બીિલ્સમાંના એક જ્યોજષ િેટરસન આ ભટિને કે,‘ટિન્દુત્વમાં લોકો ટદવ્ય રિથય ટવશે ટવચારે છે અને તત્વજ્ઞાનલક્ષી ગંભીરતાથી લઈ માળાના મણકા પર ‘િરેકૃષ્ણ િરેરામ’ મંત્રજાપ કરવા િશ્નોથી શોધ કરી તેની અટભવ્યટિ કરે છે. તેઓ ઊંડા તપ અથવા લાલયા િતા. તે થવામી પાસે શીખવા લાલયા અને ઉપદેશો પર આધાટરત

76 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

HKTM_MahasangramGuj Pg 76-82_A4 Temp 14/03/2014 17:36 Page 77

રાધા કૃષ્ણ ટેમ્પલના સભ્યો સાથેબેઠેલા જ્યોજજહેરરસન

બંદરથી વતજમાન યુગાન્ડાના કમ્પાલા સુધી રેલ્વેલાઈનના રનમાજણમાંરોકાયેલા મૂળ આરિકન લોકોના સુપરવાઈિર અને મેનેજર તરીકેની હતી. રેલ્વેના ટાઉન્સ, શેરડી અને ચ્હાના ખેતરોમાંઆ લોકોએ િાચીન સંથકૃરત અનેધમજને જાળવીનેપોતાના માટેનવુજીવન સજ્યુ​ુંહતું. ઘણાંલોકો રામ-કૃષ્ણના પૂજક હતાંઅનેઆરિકામાંજ તેમણેમંરદરો બાંધ્યા અને પોતાના પરંપરાગત ઉત્સવોની ઊજવણીઓ પણ કરી. આમ, ત્રણ પેઢીઓ પસાર થઈ ગઈ. ૧૯૬૦ સુધીમાં તો આરિકામાં રિરટશ સંથથાનવાદનો લગભગ અંત જ આવ્યો હતો. ઘણાં દેશો કટ્ટર આરદજારત અથવા સરમુખત્યાર શાસન તરફ વળી ગયાંહોવાથી મુચકેલીઓનો સમય હતો. યુગાન્ડામાંઈદી અમીને લચકરી બળવો કરી સત્તા આંચકી લીધી અને ૧૯૭૨ સુધીમાં સફળ એરશયન રબિનેસ કોમ્યુરનટી પર અંકુશ જમાવવા તેણેયુગાન્ડાની સમગ્ર ભારતીય વથતીને ગણીગાંઠી વથતુઓ સાથે દેશ છોડી જવાના આદેશ કયાજ હતા. ઈથટ આરિકામાં દીઘજ રિરટશ શાસનના વારસારૂપ આશરે ૧૦૦,૦૦૦ રિરટશ પાસપોટડધારકો જેને વતન ગણતા હતા તેભૂરમમાંથી હકાલ થઈ ઠંડા અનેિરમર વરસાદથી ભીંજાતા લંડનના રસટી એરપોટડ પર આવી પહોંચ્યા હતા. તત્કાલીન ઈરતહાસમાં

‘માય થવીટ લોડડ’ જેવાં ગીતો લખ્યા. કૃષ્ણભિોની સંખ્યા વધવા લાગી હતી. આ સમયેકન્ટ્રીસાઈડમાં‘હરેકૃષ્ણ મૂવમેન્ટ’ માટેએક મકાન હોવું જોઈએ તેવું સૂચન જ્યોજજ હેરરસને કયુ​ું હતું. ૧૯૭૨ સુધીમાં બ્લૂમ્સબરીમાં રિરટશ મ્યુરિયમ પાસેનું લંડન મથક કૃષ્ણભિો માટેનાનુંપડવા લાગ્યું. દેશના અન્ય થથળોએ મંરદરોની થથાપના માટે મોકલતા પહેલાં નવા સભ્યોને પરંપરાગત પૂજાઅચજનાની તાલીમ આપવા માટે પણ વધુ મોટા મકાનની જરૂર હતી. આ શોધનો અંત શહેરની ભીડભાડથી દૂર છતાંલંડનની સીમાએ ૨૦ માઈલના અંતરે તથા એજવેર અને થટેનમોરની નજીક, દરિણ હટડફોડડશાયરના ગ્રામ્ય રવથતારમાં આવ્યો. આ ઈમારત ૧૭ એકરના વ્યાપમાં ૧૮૮૩માં બંધાયેલી રવશાળ મોક-ટ્યુડોર શૈલીની હતી. પોતાના જ તળાવ અને રવક્ટોરરયન ગાડડન્સ સાથેની ઈમારત નાના એવા લેચમોર હીથ ગામમાં આવેલી હતી. એકાંત અને શાંત થથળ માટે પસંદ કરાયેલંુ થથાન દાયકાઓ પછી હજારોની સંખ્યામાં ઉમટી પડનારા રહન્દુ પરરવારોમાં લોકરિય બની જશે તે રવશે કોઈને જાણકારી ન હતી. પરંતુ, ભારતીય લોકો અને રહન્દુ આથથાના આંદોલનની આ બીજી કથા છે. ભરિવેદાંત મેનોરની હરરયાળી લોન પર ભિો સાથેબેઠેલા શ્રીલા પ્રભુપાદ

રહન્દુઓની રહજરત

ભારતના રિરટશ શાસકોએ ૧૯મી સદી દરરમયાન પશ્ચચમના ગુજરાત રાજ્યમાંથી કામદારોને રહન્દ મહાસાગર થઈ તેમના અન્ય સંથથાન ઈથટ આરિકા મોકલ્યાં હતાં. તેમની મુખ્ય કામગીરી મોમ્બાસા

ઠંડા અનેઝરમર વરસાદથી ધ્રુજાવતા રસટી એરપોટટપર યુગાન્ડાથી આવી પહોંચેલા રહન્દુઓ

આ સૌથી મોટી માનવસરજજત રહજરત હતી. સમયાંતરે આ લોકો ઈંગ્લેન્ડના િેથટન, બરમુંગહામ અને લેથટર જેવાં થથળોએ શ્થથર થયા. મોટા ભાગની વથતીએ લંડનમાંનોકરી મેળવી, કેટલાંકેક્રોયડનમાંથેમ્સની દરિણેઘર પણ લીધાં, પરંતુઘણાંલોકો સાઉથોલ, વેમ્બલી અનેહેરો જેવાં નોથજ-ઈથટનજ ઉપનગરોમાં જઈને વથયાં હતાં. નવા અને ઠંડા વાતાવરણમાં એકલવાયા અને બેહાલ જીવન સાથે અનુકૂળ થવાનો સંઘષજ કરતાં લોકો પાસે પૂજાઅચજના માટેસ્રોત કેથથળ પણ ન હતું. આવાંસમયેરહન્દુ ધમજનું પાલન, તેમની આથથાની સમજ સાથે કૃષ્ણના મંરદરમાં પૂજા કરી શકાય છેતેવાંકન્ટ્રી હાઉસના સમાચાર તેમના કાને પહોંચ્યા. તેઓ પોતાના સંતાનોને અહીં લઈ જઈ ભારવ પેઢીમાંઆથથાનુંરસંચન કરી શકતાંહતાં. કૃષ્ણનેમાની રહેલાં અંગ્રેજો રહન્દુત્વ રવશે ઘણું ઓછું જાણતાં હતાં અને ઉત્તર લંડનના ઉપનગરોની વાત બાજુએ રહી થથારનક કોમ્યુરનટી સુધી સંપકકમાં આગળ વધ્યા ન હતા. આમ છતાં, અનેક બાબતોમાંરભન્ન આ બેસમુદાયો કૃષ્ણ િત્યેિેમથી પારથપરરક રીતે સંકળાયેલા હતા. તેઓ ૧૦ માઈલ દૂર આઉટર લંડનમાં રહેતા હતા અને તેમનો મેળાપ હવે સમયનો જ િશ્ન હતો. ભરિવેદાંત મેનોર દ્વારા ૧૯૭૫માં રવશ્વમાં ભગવાન

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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વધવા લાગી હતી. ૧૯૭૯માં સૌથી મોિા ઉત્સવ જસમાષ્ટમીમાં ઓલ-િાઈમ ૩,૦૦૦ લોકોની હાજરીનો દવક્રમ થયો હતો. જોકે, ૧૯૮૫ સુધીમાં તો બેદિવસના ઉત્સવમાં૩૦,૦૦૦ લોકો હાજર રહ્યાંહતાં. ધાદમિક સંગીત, પરંપરાગત નૃત્યો અને નાિક સાથે આખા દિવસનો કાયિક્રમ ભારતની બહાર સૌથી મોિી ઉજવણીનું નામ પામ્યો હતો. લોકદિયતામાં આવી વૃદિ લેચમોર હીથ ગામની નજર બહાર ગઈ નદહ. યાિાળુઓથી ભરચક ૨,૫૦૦ કાર અને બસની કતાર છેક પાંચ માઈલ િૂર હેસડન સુધી લંબાઈ હતી. ભારતમાં યાદિકો ઈચ્છાનુસાર સંખ્યામાં કોઈ પણ મંદિરની મુલાકાત-િશિનેજઈ શકેછે, પરંતુદિદિશ િાપુઓ ધમિના ઉપદેશનેએકસમાન માન આપતા શીખ, જૈન અનેતહન્દુઅનુયાયી માિે આ સ્ટથદત અજાણી છે. વષોિથી ધાદમિક મતભેિથી ઘેરાયેલાં િેશના કાયિાઓ મુજબ જાહેર કૃષ્ણના દિવ્ય અવતારની વાદષિક જસમાષ્ટમી ઊજવણીમાં લંડનના પૂ જા માિ સરકારે મં જ ૂ ર ી આપેલા ટથળોએ જ કરી શકાતી હતી. નાનકડાં ઉપનગરો હેરો, વેમ્બલી અને સાઉથોલના માિ ૨૪૦ દહસિુઓ ઈંસ્લલશ ગામમાં બીનદિટતી ધાદમિક મંદિરની લોકદિયતા વધે ત્યારે જીજ્ઞાસાવશ આવ્યા હતા. લોનની બહાર પ્લાસ્ટિકના ચંિરવા નીચે ચોક્કસ ખળભળાિ તો મચે તે ટવાભાદવક જ છે. ગોઠવાયેલાં િણ િેબલ પર કેિલાંક પુટતકો, હાથબનાવિના દબલ્લાં અને અને ખરેખર ખળભળાિ મચ્યો. મૂળ ફદરયાિ તો ૧૪ ગામવાસીએ કીચેઈસસ જ મહેમાનો માિે રખાયાં હતાં. જોકે, આ નાના આરંભ પછી કરી હતી, પરંતુ તે પૂરતું ન હતુ. ટથાદનક કાઉસ્સસલે ૧૯૮૬માં મેનોરમાં મેનોરમાંરહેતા ભિો થોડાંવષોિમાંદહસિુપદરવારો સાથેદનકિતા કેળવતા રહ્યા. તેમના ઘર અને મોિા હોલ્સમાં ભદિકીતિન અને ધાદમિક ચચાિઓ કરવા સાથેધાદમિક દવષયો પરના મેગેદિસસ અને સમાચારપિો તૈયાર કરતા ગયા. દહસિુ બાળકો માિે સમર કેમ્પ્સ અને યુથ ક્લબની પણ શરૂઆત થઈ. તે સમયે દહસિુ સમુિાય તેનો પગ માંડી રહ્યો હતો ત્યારે મેનોર ખાતેના કૃષ્ણભિો તેમની દવશ્વાસપાિ િેકણલાકડી બની રહ્યા હતા. આનંદિત ઉત્સાહી વાતાવરણ અને પૂજાની દવશાળ યજ્ઞવેિીથી આકદષિત દહસિુસમુિાય મંદિર સાથેવધુસંકળાઈ નાણાકીય અને સેવાકીય િેકાની ઓફર કરતો થયો. તેમણે પોતાના સમાજના અસય લોકોને ગીતા અંગે સારા સમાચાર પહોંચાડ્યા. કૃષ્ણપૂજા સાથે નવાસવા સંકળાયેલા અંગ્રેજ ધમાિસતરીઓના જૂથ તરફ દહસિુઓ મોિી સંખ્યામાં આકષાિયાં? આનું કારણ ઈશ્વરની િશંસા કરતા ગીતોનું ઈંગ્લિશ િોન પર રાસ-ગરબા અનેપ્રારંતભક જન્માષ્ટમી ઉત્સવ ગાયન કે કીતિન, ધાદમિક નાિકો, ઉત્સવોની ઊજવણી અને ટપષ્ટ લાગણી કે પોતાના ઘરથી હકાલપટ્ટી થઈ હોવાં છતાં આવતાં વંશીય મુલાકાતીઓની સંખ્યા ગણવા માણસોને ભાડે રાખ્યા. આ નવી ભૂદમમાં ભગવાન કૃષ્ણ તેમની સાથે જ છે. મંદિરના િરવાજાની બહાર કાયમીપણે સત્તાવાર વાહન મૂકાયું હતું. યાતિકોની વધતી કતાર કાનૂની કાયિવાહીના ચક્કર ફરવા લાલયા હતા. મુઠીભર ગામવાસી સાથે સાપ્તાદહક રદવવારની સેવા અને વાદષિક ઉત્સવોમાં લોકોની હાજરી સંમત થઈનેટથાદનક કાઉસ્સસલેભદિવેિાંત મેનોર ખાતેજાહેર પૂજા સામે મનાઈ ફરમાવી. કોઈ મુલાકાતી નદહ કે ઉત્સવો પણ નદહ. મેનોરે માિ ધમિદવદ્યાની કોલેજ અને ધાદમિક મઠ બની રહેવાનું હતું, જ્યાં માિ દનવાસી જ પૂજા કરી શકતા હતા. વાટતવમાં, આ જાહેર િજા માિે મંદિરને સંપૂણિ બંધ કરવાનો આિેશ હતો. ૧૯૮૦ના િાયકાના ઉત્તરાધિમાં સમગ્ર દિ​િનની દહસિુ કોમ્યુદનિી મેનોરની મૂદતિઓનેચાહવા લાગી હતી. તેઓ મંદિરમાંશ્રી કૃષ્ણની મૂદતિના ટથાપક શ્રીલા િભુપાિ દવશે પણ જાણતા હતા અને તેમની કોમ્યુદનિીની ઉત્કિ મહત્ત્વાકાંક્ષાને બીજી તુંડદમજાજી સરકાર િબાવી રહી હોવાની તેમની લાગણી િબળ બની હતી. આનો કોઈ ઉકેલ તો આવવો જ જોઈએ. ટથાદનક સરકારેજાસયુઆરી ૧૯૮૭માંમંદિર જતાંબધાંશ્રિાળુઓને અિકાવવા નવી એસફોસિમેસિ નોદિસ બહાર પાડી હતી. મંદિર દ્વારા કેસદ્ર સરકારના પયાિવરણ દવભાગને અપીલ કરાઈ હતી. નજીકમાં જાહેર પૂજા માિે નવા મંદિરના દનમાિણને આધાદરત ઉકેલની વાિાઘાિ માિે સમય મૂતતિની ‘પ્રાણ પ્રતતષ્ઠા’ સમારંભ સમયે આપવા નવેમ્બરની અપીલ સુનાવણી મુલતવી રહી હતી. ટથાદનક ભગવાન શ્રી કૃષ્ણનુંઆહવાન કરાય છે

78 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

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હર્સસમીઅર કાઉન્સસલના સૂચન અનુસાર મેનોરે નજીકના ગામ એલસ્ટ્રી પાસેની જમીનમાં નવુ મંદિર બાંધવાની અરજી કરી હતી. આ ઉકેલ સૂચવ્યા છતાં, કાઉન્સસલે દવચાર બિલી નાખ્યો અને તેના માટે પ્લાદનંગ પરદમશન આપવાનો ઈનકાર કયોસ. હવે મેનોર પાસે પુનઃ અપીલ કરવા દસવાય કોઈ દવકપપ રહ્યો ન હતો.

હજારો િુિેચ્છકો

મેનોરે થોડો ખચાસળ પરંતુ બધાં માટે સમાધાન થાય તેવો નવો ઉકેલ સૂચવ્યો હતો. આ િોપટટીની પાછળ થઈ મેનોર તરફ ટ્રાફફક જાય તે માટે નવો વૈકન્પપક ડ્રાઈવવે બાંધવાનું આ સૂચન હતું. A41 સાથે સાથે સાંકળાતો નવો માગસ ગામમાંથી પસાર થતો ન હતો. મેનોરના શાંદતપૂણસ ઉકેલનેપણ કાઉન્સસલેફગાવી િીધો. જેજમીન પર નવા માગસનુંબાંધકામ કરવાનું હતું તે જમીન સંપાદિત કરી શકાઈ ન હોવાથી મેનોરે અપીલ પાછી ખેંચી લીધી હતી. નવેમ્બર ૧૯૮૮માં એસફોસસમેસટ નોદટસ સામે અપીલની િથમ જાહેર સુનાવણી પછી અસય સ્થળે નવું મંદિર બાંધવાની પરવાનગી આપવા કાઉન્સસલના ઈનકાર સામેબીજી અપીલ પર ફેબ્રુઆરી ૧૯૮૯માં બીજી સુનાવણી આવી હતી. મંદિરને ખુપલું રાખવાની ઝૂંબેશ માટેવધુનાણાંભંડોળની આવશ્યકતા હતી. વારંવારની કોટટકાયસવાહી અને જાહેર સુનાવણી ખચાસળ બાબતો હતી. આથી, મંદિર દ્વારા ભંડોળ એકિ કરવાના નવા કાયસિમો દવચારાયાં હતાં.

પોપ સીંગર બોય જ્યોજમદ્વારા બાઉ ડાઉન વમસ્ટર’ ગીત જાન્યુઆરી ૧૯૯૧માંરેકોડડકરાયુહતુ. આ ગીતેકૃષ્ણિ​િોના જુસ્સાનેજાળિી રાખિામાંમદદ કરી હતી

‘સની’ સુદનલ ગાવસ્કર અને બોલીવૂડના ફફપમ અદભનેતા દરશી કપૂર વેમ્બલીથી મેનોર સુધીની ૧૧ માઈલની િાયોદજત વોકમાં જોડાયા હતા. આ દિવસે કાનૂની ફી માટે હજારો પાઉસડ એકિ કરાયાં હતાં. પયાસવરણ દવભાગે ૧૯૯૦માં દનણસય જાહેર કયોસ કે નવું મંદિર બાંધી નદહ શકાય તથા મેનોર ખાતે પૂજા અને ઉત્સવો બે વષસની અંિર બંધ કરવાના રહેશે. મંદિર પાસે આ દનણસય સામે હાઈ કોટટમાં અપીલ કરવા દસવાય કોઈ દવકપપ ન હતો. ટ્રફાપગર સ્ક્વેરમાં દવરોધ િ​િશસનમાં ૨,૦૦૦ લોકો હાજર રહ્યાં હતાં. રાજકારણીઓ પણ મેનોરની તરફેણમાં બહાર આવ્યા હતા. મેનોર હવે રાષ્ટ્રીય ચચાસનો મુદ્દો બસયું હતું. ટેમ્પલ િેદસડેસટ અખંડાદધ િાસને બીબીસી અને આઈટીવીમાંધાદમસક િસારણના ધોરણો પર િેખરેખ રાખતી િસારણ પરામશસ સદમદતમાં બેસવા આમંદિત કરાયા હતા. લોકદિય ગાયક બોય જ્યોજજે ૧૯૯૧ના ન્સ્િંગમાં ‘બાઉ ડાઉન દમસ્ટર’ ગીત રીલીઝ કયુસ અને સંખ્યાબંધ ભક્તોએ ટેલીદવઝન પર અનેક વખત િેખા િીધી હતી. ઓક્ટોબર મદહનામાં ભક્તોએ કસઝવજેદટવ પાટટીની કોસફરસસ સમયે દવરોધ િશાસવ્યો હતો અને મીદડયાનું ધ્યાન વધુ ખેંચાયું હતું. ધાદમસક મુદ્દાઓ દવશેજાણતા દવદ્વાનો પણ મિ​િ માટેઆગળ આવ્યા હતા. ધમસનેતાઓની સાથે આવેલા દવદ્વાનોએ સમથમનના પ્રદિમનરૂપે૧૦,૦૦૦ વહન્દુઓ ૧૧ માઈલ ચાલ્યાંહતાં મંદિરના બચાવમાં કહ્યું હતું કે ૩૦૦ વષસમાં િથમ વખત સરકારે પૂજાસ્થળને બંધ કરવાની ધમકી ઉચ્ચારી છે. દહસિુ હજારો શુભેચ્છકો અને જૂના દમિોના કાને મંદિરને બંધ થતું પરંપરા અનુસાર સંત દ્વારા સ્થાદપત રામ અને કૃષ્ણની મૂદતસઓને હટાવી બચાવવાના અદભયાનની વાતો આવી હતી. િદસદ્ધ આંતરરાષ્ટ્રીય દિકેટર શકાય નદહ, આથી મેનોર ધાદમસક સ્થાન હતું. પરંતુ૧૯૯૧માંહાઈ કોટેટઅપીલ ફગાવી િીધાંપછી માચસ ૧૯૯૨માં કોટટ ઓફ અપીલે પણ કેસ સાંભળવા ઈનકાર કયોસ હતો. તેણે ચુકાિો આપ્યો હતો કે મેનોર પૂજાના સ્થળ અને ધાદમસક ઉત્સવોની ઉજવણીના સ્થળ તરીકે બંધ થવું જોઈએ. આનો અમલ કરવા મંદિર પાસે બે વષસ છે અને ૧૯૯૪ના વસંતમાં તેના દ્વાર બંધ થવા જોઈએ. સમય પસાર થઈ રહ્યો હતો. વૈકન્પપક ઉકેલની જરૂરના કારણે નવો રસ્તો હજુ પણ આગળ વધવા યોગ્ય માગસ હોવાનો દનણસય મેનોરે લીધો હતો. એક ફકલોમીટર લાંબા માગસના દનમાસણ અને પાસેની જમીન ખરીિવા ભંડોળ માટે ‘મંદિરના તારણહારો’ અદભયાન છેડાયું હતું. કોમ્યુદનટીનેતેના પર ઘણી આશા હતી. ૧૫૪૦થી એક જ માદલક હસ્તકની આ જમીન ગ્રીન બેપટમાં આવેલી હતી. ફેબ્રુઆરીમાં નવી રચાયેલી પાંડવસેનાએ ગામની હદરયાળી ફફલ્મ અવિનેતા વરિી કપૂરે વિશ્વના સૌથી સફળ બેટ્સમેનોમાંસ્થાન ધરાિતા જમીન પર મંદિરની બહાર પૂજા માટે રદવવારે જાહેર મેળાવડો િવિ​િેદાંત મેનોરની લોન પર સુનીલ ગાિસ્કર ૧૯૮૯ની િોક માટેપોતાનું શરૂ કયોસ હતો. લોકો માટે મંદિર બંધ થાય તો શું થશે તેનો ફફવનિ લાઈન પર થાકેલા છતાં સ્પોન્સરવિપ ફોમમદિામિી રહ્યા છે. બેિડી સદી ફટકારનારા વિકેટ સ્ટારેસમગ્ર ૧૧ માઈલ ચાલિા દવચાર સ્થાદનક ગામવાસીઓ કરવા લાગ્યા હતા. દવરોધપક્ષના ખુિ િોકસમસમક્ષ લાગણીપૂણમ નેતા નીલ ફકનોકના પત્ની ગ્લેનીસ ફકનોકે ૧૯૯૨ના આરંભમાં સંમવત આપી હતી સંબોધન કયુમહતુ

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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મંદિરની મુલાકાત લીધી હતી. લેબર પાટટીનું આ જાહેર સમથથન હતુ અને રાષ્ટ્રીય અખબારોએ તેની વ્યાપક નોંધ લીધી હતી.

લંડનના માગોા પર ભારતીય બળદગાડાની સિારી

નાના જૂથોમાં પોતાના સાંસિો પર અસર પાડવા િયાસશીલ હતા. આ પછી દબગ બેનમાં ટકોરા સાથેઆ બધાંજ લોકો પાલાથમેસટની બહારના માગથ પર બેસી ગયાંઅનેસમગ્ર ટ્રાફફકમાંરુકાવટ સજાથઈ હતી. લંડનના સતત ગદતશીલ ટ્રાફફકને ફરી વ્યવન્થથત કરતા ભારે તકલીફ પડી હતી. ભજનો ગાતી વૃદ્ધાઓને પોલીસ ઘસડીને લઈ ગઈ હતી. અખબારોના ફોટોગ્રાફસથ અને ટેલીદવિન કેમેરામેનની નજર બહાર આ વાત ગઈ ન હતી. બે દિવસ સુધી અખબારોમાં આવી તસવીરો છપાઈ હતી.

માચથના વરસાિી દિવસે આઠ પોલીસમેનની સુરિા સાથેબેમજબૂત બળિોથી ખેંચાતા અને૩૦ બાળકોથી ભરેલાંપરંપરાગત ભારતીય બળિગાડાએ ધીમેધીમે પાલાથમેસટના ગૃહો પાસેથઈનેડાઉદનંગ થટ્રીટ સુધીની સવારી માંડી હતી. આ બાળકોએ ૬,૦૦૦ હથતાિર ફવરયાદની કાયાિાહી સાથેની દપદટશન વડા િધાનને સુપરત કરી હતી. ચોથી જુલાઈએ સાંસિોના સવથપિીય જૂથે પોતાનો કેસ થટ્રાઉસબગથમાં ‘યુરોદપયન વિવિશ ન્યાયની શોધમાં સાંસદ કકથ િાઝ અને મેનોરની મુલાકાત લીધી હતી અને ૧૨ જુલાઈએ કોટટ ઓફ હ્યુમન રાઈટ્સ’ દ્વારા સંભળાય તેવો અન્યોએ પાલા​ામેન્િની બહાર ફાનસ પ્રગિાવ્યાં હતાં થથાદનક હટ્સથમીઅર કાઉન્સસલે પોતાનો દનણથય સપ્ટેપબર અથવા ઓક્ટોબર સુધી મુલતવી દવકલ્પ પણ મંદિરે દવચાયોથ હતો. મેનોરની રાખ્યાની જાહેરાત કરી હતી, જેથી મંદિર ત્યાંસુધી ખુલ્લુંરહી શકતુંહતું. હદરયાળી ભૂદમ પર હનુમાનજીની લહેરાતી ધજા નીચે દહસિુ સમુિાયે આ કોટટતેમની અરજી સાંભળેતેવી િાથથના કરી હતી. નવા ડ્રાઈવવેના આધારે થથાદનક કાઉન્સસલ નવા ડ્રાઈવવેની અરજીનો દનણથય લેવામાં દનષ્ફળ પૂજા અને ઉત્સવો માટે મેનોરનો ઉપયોગ કરવાની પ્લાદનંગ અરજી ૧૭ ગયાના આધારે મેનોરે ઓગથટ મદહનામાં પયાથવરણ દવભાગ સમિ ફરી દડસેપબર, ૧૯૯૩ના રોજ કાઉન્સસલને સુપરત કરાઈ હતી. અપીલ કરી હતી. આ જ મદહનામાં લેચમોર હીથના ૨૪ ગામવાસીએ પરંતુ, ૧૬ માચથ, ૧૯૯૪ના દિવસે બે વષથની મહેતલ પૂણથ થઈ હતી કાઉન્સસલને પત્રના થવરૂપે સમાધાનકારી દનવેિન આપ્યું હતું. તેઓ પણ અનેદિદટશ સરકારેભગવાન કૃષ્ણનુંમંદિર બંધ કરાવી જ િીધું. પોતાના કંટાળ્યા હતા અને ઉકેલ ઈચ્છતા હતા. ઓક્ટોબર મદહનામાં બીબીસીના એવરીમેન િોગ્રામમાં સંખ્યાબંધ ધમથની આવી અવગણનાથી રોષેભરાયેલા ૩૫,૦૦૦થી વધારેદહસિુ, જૈન થટોરીમાંથી ભિોની વ્યથાને જણાવતી ‘ધ રોડ ટુ હરે કૃષ્ણ’ ડોક્યુમેસટરીનું િસારણ કરાયું હતું. સમગ્ર િેશના લાખો લોકોએ આ િસારણ દનહાળ્યું હતું. જોકે, ૧૯ ઓક્ટોબરે કાઉન્સસલે નવો ડ્રાઈવવે સુલભ બનાવવાની મંદિરની િરખાથત ફગાવી િઈ તે વષથનો જસમાષ્ટમી ઉત્સવ યોજવા બિલ મંદિર સામે કાનૂની કાયથવાહી કરવાનો દનણથય લીધો હતો. આ િરદમયાન, ૭,૦૦,૦૦૦ દહસિુની વથતી ધરાવતા િદિણ આદિકાના ડબથનમાં નેલ્સન મસડેલાએ ભદિવેિાંત મેનોરના અસય મંદિરમાં દિવાળી સમયે દવશાળ મેિની સમિ સંબોધન કયુ થ હતુ. થોડાં સપ્તાહ પછી, વિરોધકૂચનો આરંભ. ૩૫,૦૦૦ લોકોની સેન્ટ્રલ લંડનમાં થઈને કૂચ ભારતની મુલાકાત િરદમયાન તેઓ ઈંગ્લેસડના કોપયુદનટી સભ્યોને મળ્યા હતા અને આ કેસનો સફળ અને શીખો દવરોધકૂચ આિરવા સમગ્ર િેશમાંથી લંડન આવી પહોંચ્યા દનવેડો આવે તે માટે શુભેચ્છા વ્યિ કરી હતી. દહસિુ કોપયુદનટી અને હતા. કૂચ શરૂ થઈ તે ખીચોખીચ ભરાયેલા એપબેસકમેસટ અને રેડ લાયન કાઉન્સસલ વચ્ચે રંગભેિી પદરન્થથદતમાં િમુખનો અદભિાય આ િૂંબેશમાં થક્વેરમાં ૧૫૦ કોચ પાકક કરાયા હતા. પાછળથી મિ​િરૂપ સાદબત થવાનો હતો. દવરોધકારોની બેમાઈલ લાંબી હરોળ પથરાઈ હતી. ઈન્પપદરયલ વોર ૧૭ જાસયુઆરી, ૧૯૯૫ના દિવસેપયાથવરણ દવભાગ સમિ મંદિરની પયુદિયમ નજીકના પાકકમાં મેિનીની દવશાળ જમાવટ લાગણીિધાન અપીલ સાંભળવા શરૂ થયેલી જાહેર ઈસક્વાયરી ચાર સપ્તાહ પછી મુલતવી સંબોધનો સાંભળતી હતી. મીદડયા અનેરાજકારણીઓએ તેની નોંધ લીધી રહી હતી. મંદિરના િેદસડેસટ અખંડાદધ િાસ ધાદમથક ઉત્સવના આયોજન કે શાંદતચાહક દહસિુઓને કશુંપજવી રહ્યું હતું. આનો કોઈ ઉકેલ લાવવો બિલ થથાદનક વોટફોડટ મેદજથટ્રેટ્સ કોટટ સમિ હાજર થયા હતા. બહોળા જ રહ્યો. એદિલ મદહનામાં‘યુરોદપયન કદમશન ઓફ હ્યુમન રાઈટેસે’ જણાવ્યું થથાદનક િચારના કારણેવોટફોડટમાંસયાયી ટ્રાયલ ન થવાના ભયેકોટટકેસ કે દિટનમાં પ્લાદનંગ કાયિાઓની ટેકદનકલ બાબતોના લીધે તેઓ લુટન ખસેડાયો હતો. યુકેમાં જ જસમેલા અને મહંત - પૂજારીને તેમના મંદિરનો કેસ હાથ લઈ શકતા નથી. મે મદહનામાં ૧૦,૦૦૦ લોકોની ધમથના મુદ્દે કોટટમાં ઘસડી જવાયાથી રોષે ભરાયેલા યુવાન દહસિુઓએ મેિની સાથેબીજી દવશાળ કૂચ યોજાઈ હતી. સંખ્યા નાની હોવાંછતાંતેઓ લંડનમાંદવરોધકૂચ આિરી હતી. મેમદહનામાંજાહેર ઈસક્વાયરી પુનઃ શરૂ

80 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

HKTM_MahasangramGuj Pg 76-82_A4 Temp 14/03/2014 17:40 Page 81

કરાઈ, જેનો અંત ૨૮ દિવસ પછી આવવાનો હતો. પથાદનક લોકો, દહસિુ દનષ્ણાતો અને ધમમનેતાઓએ જૂબાની આપી હતી. દવદ્વાનોએ વજનિાર અદિ​િાયોમાંજણાવ્યુંહતુકેકૃષ્ણમંદિર સાચેજ કાનૂની દહસિુ મંદિર હતું અને આ ટાપુઓની દહસિુ લઘુમતી માટે દવશેષ મહત્ત્વપૂણમ હતું. આ ઉપરાંત, દહસિુ ધાદમમક દનયમો અનુસાર તેને ખસેડી કેબંધ કરી શકાય તેમ ન હતું. દિશ્ચચયન દમદનપટસમઅનેઅસય આપથાના સભ્યોએ સરકાર સદહષ્ણુતા િશામવે તેવી માગણી કરી હતી. એદશયન રાજકારણીઓ, બેદરપટસમ, ડોક્ટસમ અને સંખ્યાબંધ વ્યાવસાદયકોએ િબાણ કરતા પત્રો લખ્યાં હતાં. િરેક પથળોએ િ​િોએ િાથમના કરી હતી.

નેલ્સન મન્ડેલાના ‘આશ્ચયય અને અવવશ્વાસ’

પથાદનક હટ્સમમીઅર કાઉશ્સસલનો અંકુશ લેબર પાટટી હપતક આવ્યો હતો. થોડાં દિવસો પછી જ, ૧૦ મેના દિવસે, જોગાનુજોગ ન ગણાવાય તેમ સેિેટરી ઓફ પટેટ ફોર એસવાયસમમેસટ શ્રી જ્હોન ગમર, કસઝવમેદટવ એમપી દ્વારા પશ્લલક ઈસક્વાયરીનું પદરણામ જાહેર કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું. િદિવેિાંત મેનોરનો આ િવ્ય દવજય હતો. વધારાની જમીન ખરીિી લેવાઈ અનેનવા માગમનુંકાયમતત્કાળ શરુ કરી િેવાયું. પરંતુ, સમય ઘણો ઓછો હતો. માગમનું દનમામણ, નવા િવેશદ્વારનું લેસડપકેદપંગ અને જાહેર ઘોરી માગોમસાથેતેનુંજોડાણ, આ બધુંજ કાયમઆગામી જસમાષ્ટમી ઉત્સવ પહેલાં પૂણમ કરવાનું હતું. દવિમી સમયગાળામાં આ બધાં કાયોમ પૂણમ કરી િેવાયાં અને િગવાન કૃષ્ણનો જસમોત્સવ પાંચમી સપ્ટેમ્બરે િારે હષોમર્લાસથી ઉજવાયો હતો. ઈશ્વરની મહેર જ ઉતરી હોય તેમ, િાઉન કોટે​ે િોસીક્યુશન િંડ £૩૭,૦૦૦થી ઘટાડીને માત્ર £૫,૦૦૦ નો રાખ્યો હતો.

અવભયાન પછીનો કાળ

લોકદિય સંપકૃદતના િવાહમાં સજામતા વમળો િત્યે હંમેશાં સંવેિનશીલ મીદડયાએ દિદટશ દહસિુઓના જીવનમાં મહત્ત્વનું પથાન મેળવનાર ISKCONની મહત્તાને ધ્યાનમાં લીધી હતી. હજારો લોકોની ધાદમમક લાગણાઓની ઊંડાઈનો સામનો કરવાનો આવે અને સામાસયપણેઠરેલ, કાનૂનપાલનના આગ્રહી દિદટશ દહસિુ સમુિાયે ‘હરે કૃષ્ણ’ મંદિરને પૂજા માટે ખુર્લું રખાવવા ધરપકડ કરાવવા તૈયાર થાય ત્યારે મીદડયા કકનારે કેવી રીતે રહી શકે? ‘હટેફોડેશાયરમાં મંદિર બંધ કરવાની સરકારની ધમકીથી દહસિુઓ રોષે િરાયા છે’ના મીદડયાના રીપોટે યુવાન વવષ્ણુવિયાએ ભારતમાંનેલ્સન મન્ડેલાની મુલાકાત લઇ પછી તો દહસિુ ધમામસતદરત અંગ્રેજ ‘હરે કૃષ્ણ મંવિર ખુલ્લુંરખાવવામાંતેમની મિ​િ માગી હતી અનુયાયીઓ’ રીતે આ િેશના દહસિુત્વ સાથે કાયમી ન જોડાય તેવી કોઈ શક્યતા રહી ન હતી. પોતાના પૂજાના અદધકારના રક્ષણ માટે દહસિુ સમુિાયનો ૧૦ વષમ જોકે, મેનોરનેપદરણામની રાહ જોવાનુંપાલવેતેમ ન હતું. તેણેનવા લાંબો ચાલેલો સંઘષમ સફળતામાં પદરણમ્યો હતો. આથી, મોટી વાત એ માગમની યોજના સાથે આગળ વધવાનું િબાણ વધાયુમ અને જમીનમાદલકો સેસટ બાથોમલોમ્યુ’સ હોશ્પપટલ પાસેથી જમીનના ટુકડા ઉપરાંત, વધારાની પણ હતી કે યુકેમાં દહસિુઓનો અવાજ ઉિો થયો હતો. સૌિથમ વખત ૩૬ એકર ખેતીની જમીન પણ ખરીિી લીધી. પથાદનક કાઉશ્સસલર િેસક દહસિુઓ અસયાય સામે લડવા ઉિાં થયાં હતાં. તેમને િથમ વખત જ વોડે​ે સાઉથ આદિકામાં નવ જુલાઈએ વર્ડે દહસિુ કોસફરસસમાં ૬,૦૦૦ સમજાયુહતુંકેતેઓ દવરોધ કરી શકેછે. એકસંપ અનેિીઘમઅદિયાનના પદરણામેપથાદનક દહસિુસંપથાઓ પણ જાગૃત થઈ અનેમહાન કાયોમઅને ડેલીગેટ્સ સમક્ષ સંબોધન કયુમ. તેમણેનેર્સન મસડેલાનેમળ્યા, જેમણેફરી સરકાર મંદિર મુદ્દે જે રીતે વતમતી તે િત્યે‘આચચયમઅનેઅદવશ્વાસ’ િગટ કયામ હતા. મંદિર સામે૧૯૯૪ના જસમાષ્ટમી ફેશ્પટવલ યોજવા અંગેનો કેસ ૩૦ ઓક્ટોબરે લુટન િાઉન કોટેમાં જજ અને જ્યુરી સમક્ષ આવ્યો હતો. કોટેની બહાર જોરિાર િેખાવો થયાં હતાં. આ પછીના સપ્તાહે આવેલા ચુકાિામાં મંદિરને £૩૦,૦૦૦ િંડ અને £૭,૧૮૪ ખચમ થઈને, િાથમના કરવા બિલ £૩૭,૦૦૦થી વધુની ચૂકવણી કરવા આિેશ થયો હતો. આમ છતાં, ધાદમમક ઉત્સવ માટે કાનૂની કાયમવાહી કરાયેલા અખંડાદધ િાસ બીબીસીના રેદડયો ફોર પર ‘થોટ ફોર ધ ડે’ િસાદરત કરનારા િથમ દહસિુ િદતદનદધ બસયા હતા. મે ૧૯૯૬માં જોરિાર પદરવતમન નોંધાયું હતું, જેને દહસિુ કોમ્યુદનટી મ્ધ્ય લંડનના ટ્રફાલ્ગર સ્કવેર નજીક બેનરો સાથેનીકળેલી વવરાટ રેલી દ્વારા દિવ્ય હપતક્ષેપ ગણાવાયું હતું.

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મીસિયા દ્વારા િતત કવરેજ અને રાજકારણીઓ, સવદ્વાનો અને ધમાનેતાઓ દ્વારા રજૂ કરાયેલાં યથાથાદશાનોના પસરણામે બહુમતી િર્ િરે કૃષ્ણ આંદોલન, ISKCON ને સિસદુત્વ પરંપરાના વ્યાપક ફલકના સિથિારૂપે સનિાળતી થઈ િતી. પૂર્ ના પોતાના અસધકારના રક્ષણમાં મળેલી િફળતા અને આવા બચાવની પિસતની ચોક્કિ ર્ણકારી પછી લેચમોર િીથ ન્થથત મંસદર અસયોના અસધકારોના રક્ષણ માટે પણ આગળ આવ્યું િતું. ભારતીય િાઈ કસમશન, વેથટસમસથટરના િાંિદો અને ધમાનેતાઓની િાથે મળી ISKCON દ્વારા રસશયા, િંગેરી, કઝાકથતાન અને ધાસમાક થવાતંત્ર્ય પૂરતું ન િોય તેવાં અસય દેશોમાં સિસદુઓને પૂર્ની થવતંત્રતા મળે તે માટે લિત ચલાવી િતી. યુકેના અસભયાનથી ભારતમાં પણ ભદિ વેદાંત મેનોરના મંદદર માટેનવા રસ્તા (ધમમમાગમ)નુંદવદધવત ભૂદમપૂજન થયુંહતું સિસદુત્વના પુનરુિારને ઉત્તેજન મળ્યું િતું. ભારતમાં પણ ISKCON સિસદુત્ વના સિસિઓ માટે િોત્િાસિત થઈ િતી. ઉપદેશોમાં નવી તાજગી અને થપષ્ટતા લાવ્યું છે. સિસદુ સવચારોના આ ઝૂંબેશથી નવા આત્મસવશ્વાિથી છલકાતા સિસદુ િમુદાયમાં લાભોની િમજનું પુનરુત્થાન થયું છે. આધુસનક ભારતમાં પણ સિસદુ એકતા આવી અને સિસદુ સવસશષ્ટતાની લાગણી પુનથથા​ાસપત થવાં િાથે મૂલ્યો િજુ િથતુત િોવાનું િર્રો લોકોને િમર્ઈ રહ્યું છે. સિસદુત્વ આથથાની રાષ્ટ્રીય ઓળખ િર્ાઈ િતી. અંગ્રેજ ગામમાંઆવેલું યુકેમાં સિસદુ િમુદાયને સિસદુ પુનરુત્થાનથી રાજી થવાના ઘણાં ભસિવેદાંત મેનોર આ ઝૂંબેશના પસરણામે વધુ લોકસિય બસયું. બધાં કારણ છે. મંસદરો વધી રહ્યાં છે અથવા તેમની િર્વટો થઈ રિી છે તેના સવશે ર્ણતાં થયા અને િમગ્ર સિસદુ િમુદાયે એકિંપ થઈને જે અને સિસદુ આથથામાં રિ અને સશક્ષણ િતત વધી રહ્યાં છે. આ દેશમાં મંસદરને બચાવ્યું તે મંસદર િાથે િંકળાવા તમામ થથળોના સિસદુ યુવાનો િથમ વખત મંસદરને બંધ કરવાના સવરોધ દરસમયાન ઉભા થયેલા તત્પર થતાં િતાં. યુવાજૂથ દ્વારા સિસદુ િંિદાયની શાળાઓ શરૂ કરાઈ છે, જેને િરકારની અબાસધત આવશ્યકતામાંથી િર્ાયેલાં અસભયાને 'સિસદુ કાઉન્સિલ' િ​િાય મળી છે. આ દેશમાં સિસદુત્વના ઈસતિાિમાં ભસિવેદાંત અને 'સિસદુ ફોરમ ઓફ સિટન' જેવી રાષ્ટ્રીય િંથથાઓને જસમ આપ્યો મેનોરનેબંધ થતા અટકાવવાના અસભયાનનો િમયગાળો સવસશષ્ઠ િતો. િતો. અસભયાન િમયે જ આરંભ કરાયેલી કાઉન્સિલ અને ફોરમ આપણે તેની યાદગીરી િમાન મેગેસઝનથી તેને યાદ કરીએ એ યોગ્ય જ રાષ્ટ્રીય થતરે સિસદુ િમુદાયના ચોક્કિ મંતવ્યો અને જરૂસરયાતોની ગણાશે. રજૂઆતોનું મિાન કાયા કરવામાં આગળ રહ્યાં છે.

િથમ દહન્દુસરકારી શાળા, હેરોની કૃષ્ણા અવંદત સ્કૂલની મુલાકાત સમયેગીત ગાતા બાળકોનેસાંભળતા મહારાણી અનેદિન્સ ફિદલપ

82 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

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જનતા જનાદાનના સથવારેમળેલી સફળતા

■ ક્રિપામોયા દાસ

વતતમાનપિના પીઢ તંિી સી.બી.પટેલ ૧૯૮૬ના પ્રારંભિક ભિવસોથી જ મંભિર બચાવ અભિયાનમાંઉત્કટતાથી સંકળાયેલા હતા. તેમણેઅભિયાનના સમગ્રપણે૧૦ વષતના ગાળામાંતીવ્રતમ પ્રચાર સાથેજાતનેહોમી િઈ અથાક મક્કમતાથી તેમાં જોડાઈ રહ્યા હતા. આરંિથી જ તેમણે જોયુ હતુ કે આ કોઈ એક સંથથા માટેઆયોજનનો મુદ્દો નથી, પરંતુતમામ ભહસિુઓના ગૌરવ સામેનો પડકાર છેઃ ‘હું ૧૯૭૦ના િાયકામાં થવામી પ્રિુપાિને મળ્યો ત્યારથી મંભિરને જાણતો હતો. તેમણેમહાન કાયતકયુતહતુ. હુંતેમના મૂલ્યો સાથેસંમત હતો અને તેઓ યુનાઈટેડ કકંગ્ડમમાં ભહસિુત્વ માટે મૂલ્યવાન સેવા આપી રહ્યા હતા. હું ભહસિુ તરીકે મથતક ઊંચુ રાખીને ભિટનમાં રહેવા ઈચ્છતો હતો. િભિવેિાંત મેનોરને બંધ કરવાની સરકારની - પહેલા થથાભનક કાઉન્સસલ અનેતેપછી સેસટ્રલ ગવમમેસટ દ્વારા ધમકી એવી ભનશાની હતી કે સમગ્ર ભહસિુ સમુિાય અને આપણી જીવનશૈલીને ખોટી રીતે સમજી બાજુએ હડસેલી િેવાતી હતી. મારેતેનો સામનો કરવો જ રહ્યો.’ અંગ્રેજી િાષાના ‘એભશયન વોઈસ’ અને ગુજરાતી િાષાના ‘ગુજરાત સમાચાર’ અખબારોના તંિી તરીકે પોતાના અનુિવ અને કૌશલ્યનો ઉપયોગ કરીને સી.બી.પટેલે તેમની વ્યાપક રાષ્ટ્રીય રીડરભશપનેઅપીલ કરવા માંડી. હટટફોડટશાયરમાં આકાર લેતી હરેકૃષ્ણ મંધદર બચાવ ઝુંબશ ે માં પભરન્થથભત ભવશે તેમણે લોકોને માભહતી અગ્રભાગ ભજવનાર સી.બી.ની આપી, સંબભંધત ધાભમતક, વંશીય અને નેતાગીરીનેઅાજેય અખંડાધધ દાસ ધબરદાવી રહ્યા​ા છે કાનૂની મુદ્દાઓથી લોકોનેભશભિત કયાત, અને તે પછી કામગીરીમાં પ્રવૃત્ત કયાત. આ પછીના એક િાયકાના ગાળામાં તેમણે િીઘત અભિયાનના િરેક વળાંક ભવશેસમુિાયનેમાભહતગાર રાખવા પોતાના સાપ્તાભહકોનુંએક પાનુઅપતણ કયુતહતુ. ‘આ સમયેભિટનમાં૩૦૦ ભહસિુમંભિર અનેઆથથા આધાભરત સંગઠનો હતાં. આપણા સમુિાયમાંસંખ્યાબંધ ધાભમતક પરંપરાઓ છે. પરંતુકોમ્યુભનટી એકસંપ ન હતી. તેને ભશભિત કરવાની જરૂર હતી. મારા વાચકોને માભહતગાર કરવાની અને મંભિરના બચાવ અભિયાનમાં સામેલ થાવ, તેમ

પાલા​ામન્ે ટ બહાર ધોળેદહાડેફાનસ લઇ ન્યાય શોધતા કીથ વાઝ

કહેવાની મારી ફરજ લાગી હતી.’ િેશમાં સૌથી જાણીતા કોમ્યુભનટી એભડટર તરીકેસી.બી.પટેલ જાણતા હતા કે આ ધ્યેય - મુખ્ય રાધા-કૃષ્ણ મંભિરને બચાવવાનું કાયત સમગ્ર કોમ્યુભનટીના િભવષ્ય માટે અભત મહત્ત્વનું હતુ.ં ‘હું ભવચારતો હતોઃ આ ધ્યેયથી પીછેહઠ કરી ન શકાય, આપણે તેમ થવા ન િઈ શકીએ.’ આથી, હું ખુિ અને બે વતતમાનપિોમાં મારો થટાફ ભિભટશ એભશયન કોમ્યુભનટીના ભહસિુઓ, જૈન, શીખો અને મુન્થલમોને અખંડાધધદાસ તેમનો અવાજ સંિળાય તે માટે અપીલ કરવા અમારાથી શક્ય તમામ મિ​િ કરવા લાગ્યા હતા. અમેતેમનેપોતાના સાંસિોનેપિો લખવા, પાલાતમસેટમાંતેનું લોબીઈંગ કરવા, મીભડયાને પિો લખવા અને પભિકાઓ વહેંચવા જણાવ્યું હતુ.ં’ સી.બી.પટેલ કહેછેકેએભશયન વોઈસનુંસમથતન શરતી ન હતુ.ં ‘અમે આ બાબતેલાગણીશીલ હતા. આ ઉદ્દેચયનેમિ​િરૂપ થવા બધાંએકસંપ થાય તેમ અમેઈચ્છતા હતા. અમેજાણતા હતા કેજો સમુિાય એક સાથેઅવાજ નભહ ઉઠાવેતો સફળતાની શક્યતા ઓછી હતી. અભિયાનના ઘણાં વષોત િરભમયાન ઐભતહાભસક મંભિરને ખુલ્લું રાખવા માટેનો સંઘષત અનેક તબક્કામાંથી પસાર થયો હતો. આ મહાન ઉદ્દેશ માટે શભિના સંગ્રહ અનેપ્રચાર માટેસી.બી. પટેલેતેમના ભમિો અનેસમથતકોના ભવશાળ નેટવકકને તબક્કાવાર કામે લગાવ્યાં હતાં. તેમણે આથથા અને કોમ્યુભનટી નેતાઓ, તેમ જ થથાભનક અને વેથટભમસથટરના રાજકારણીઓને યેનકેન સાથેલીધાં. તેમણેએભશયન ઉદ્યોગપભતઓ, અંગ્રેજ ભસભવલ સવતસટ્સ તેમ જ િારતીય રાજદ્વારીઓને પણ ટેલીફોન કયાત હતા. તેમની એડ્રેસબુકમાંથી કોઈ બાકી રહ્યું ન હતુ.ં આ અભિયાનના પભરણામે િભિવેિાંત મેનોર ખાતે‘લેબર ફ્રેસડ્સ ઓફ ઈન્સડયા’ જૂથની રચના થઈ હતી. લોકોનો રસ જળવાઈ રહેતેમાટેઘણાંમૌભલક અનેહેડલાઈન બનેતેવાં ભવચારો તેમના મગજમાંઆવ્યા હતા. કકથ વાઝ અનેસાથી સાંસિો ‘હાઉસ ઓફ કોમસસ’ની બહાર ધોળા ભિવસે ‘ભિભટશ સયાયની શોધ કરવા’ મીણબત્તી-ફાનસ લઈને ઉિા રહ્યા હોય અથવા ગાિો ઠારી િે તેવાં વાવાઝોડાંસાથેની ભહમવષાતમાંહટ્સતમીઅર બરો કાઉન્સસલ ઓકફસની બહાર ‘સયાય માટે ઉપવાસ’ કરવા સભહતના ફળદ્રુપ આઈભડયા આવતા જ રહ્યાં હતાં. આ પછી, મંભિર બંધ થવાની શક્યતા ભનન્ચચત જણાતી હતી ત્યારે સી.બી.ના ભિમાગમાંતેમનો સૌથી મોટો અનેભિલનેહચમચાવી નાખેતેવો ૧૯૯૪ની ભવરોધકૂચનો આઈભડયા આવ્યો હતો. આમ તો સીધો અનેસરળ આઈભડયા હતો, પરંતુહકીકત એ હતી કેભહસિુસમુિાયેઅગાઉ કિી આમ કયુત ન હતુ. લંડનની મધ્યે ભવરોધની વાત તો જવા િો, તેમને ભવરોધકૂચ કરવાની પરવાનગી મળી શકેછે, તેપણ કોમ્યુભનટીના મોટા િાગના લોકો જાણતાંન હતા. સી.બી યાિ કરતા કહેછેકે‘આમ, અમેિેશના તમામ ભહસિુમંભિરોની ધમતએકતા યાિાએ નીકળી પડ્યા હતા. હા, તમેતેનેયાિા કહી શકો છો. નેતાઓનેતેમના સભ્યોનેશક્ય તેટલી મોટી સંખ્યામાંએકિ કરી શાંભતપૂણત ભવરોધના ભિવસેઆપણી રાજધાનીમાંતેમની જમાવટ કરવા જણાવી િેવાયું હતુ.ં બધાનો ઉત્તર એક જ ‘હા’ હતો. હું આશાવાિી હતો, પરંતુ આટલો અિૂતપૂવતપ્રભતસાિ મળશેતેવી મનેકલ્પના પણ ન હતી!’ રેભડયો સાથેપણ સંબધં ધરાવતા યુભિબાજ તંિીએ રેભડયોના શ્રોતાઓ પોતાની લાગણીનુંવ્યાપક જાહેર પ્રિશતન કરી શકેતેવી વ્યવથથા કરવા માટે મનાવી લીધાં હતાં. મહાકૂચના આગળના ભિવસે સનરાઈઝ રેભડયો દ્વારા લોકોને આગળ આવી કૂચમાં જોડાવાની જાહેરાતો કરાઈ હતી. આ સંિશે ા

20th Anniversary 2014 -The Turning Point

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હિન્દી, પંજાબી અનેગુજરાતીમાંઅપાયા િતા અનેશ્રોતાઓએ િજારોની સંખ્યામાંપ્રહતસાદ આપ્યો િતો. દુકાનદારો અનેવેપારી લોકોએ ધંધા બંધ રાખી દુકાનોની બિાર ‘આપણા મંહદરને બંધ કરવા સામે હવરોધ કરવા ગયા છીએ. કાલે ફરી મળીશુ.ં’ - ના પાહિયાં લગાવી દીધાં િતાં. ઈક્વેિોહરયલ બેન્ક પણ એક હદવસ બંધ રિી િતી. સમગ્ર દેશના સંખ્યાબંધ લોકો તેમના કામધંધા છોડી લંડન આવવા નીકળી પડ્યા િતા. એહડિર સિાથય કિે છે, આ પછીની ઘિના પાછળ કોનો હવચાર કામ કરી ગયો તેની કોઈ જાણ તેમને નથી. સેંકડો લોકોએ તેમના સાંસદોને લોબીઈંગ કયા​ાના કેિલાંક સપ્તાિો પછી, હબગ બેનના એક િકોરા સાથે ૧૦,૦૦૦ લોકો માગા પર બેસી ગયાં િતાં અને પાલા​ામન્ેિ થક્વેરમાં ટ્રાફફક થંભી ગયો િતો! ઢોલ-મજીરા નેશંખનાદ સાથેલંડનની શેરીઅો ગજાવતી વવરાટ રેલી ‘પરંતુ તમે જાણો છો, ૧૯૯૫ના અંતભાગમાં દરેક બાબત આપણા હવરૂદ્ધ િતી આ કરતી િોય તો બીજો વારો કયા મંહદરનો આવશે? કયુમંહદર સલામત અનેમોિા ભાગની તકનો ઉપયોગ કરી દેવાયો િતો. આપણેબધાંકાનૂની રિેશ?ે અમે કોઈને બીનજરૂરી ગભરાવવા માગતા ન િતા, આ ખતરનાક માગોાપણ અપનાવ્યા િતા અનેશક્ય તમામ રીતેપ્રચાર કયોાિતો. જોકે, પહરસ્થથહત િતી, જ્યાં હિન્દુ સમુદાયે ધમકીની કિોકિીપૂણા વસમી આ સમય પીછેિઠનો ન િતો. આ પહરસ્થથહતનો સામનો કરી બિાર આવવાનું સમય તો ફરી એક મોિો ધક્કો િતુ.ં આખરે, અમારે તેમની જવાબદારીની મારવાનો િતો.’ ભાવનાને જગાવવાની િતી.‘જો તમે આ સચોિ પત્રકારત્વનું રિથય શું ઝૂબ ં શે માંસામેલ નહિ થાવ, તમારા એકસંપ િોઈ શકે? સી.બી.પિેલ આ હૃદય અને અવાજથી તેને સમથાન નહિ ઝૂંબેશના રિથયોમાં આપણને આપો, અહભયાનને નાણાકીય િેકો નહિ સિભાગી બનાવેછે. ‘અમેલોકોના કરો, તમે િાજર રિીને ગણતરીમાં નહિ ગૌરવની લાગણીને અપીલ કરી આવો તો- તેસફળ નહિ થાય.’ િતીઃ તમારો ધમા અિીં મુશ્કેલીમાં આખરે, સી.બી.પિેલ અનેતેમણેપ્રેહરત છે, તમારા વડવાઓ જે ધમાનંુ કરેલા ઘણાં લોકોની અથાક મિેનતના પાલન કરતા આવ્યા છેઅનેભારત પહરણામે અહભયાનને સફળતા સાંપડી િતી અને આહિકામાં તમામ પ્રકારની અનેભહિવેદાંત મેનોર જાિેર ઉપાસના માિે પહરસ્થથહતઓ વચ્ચેપણ તેનુંરક્ષણ ૨૬મી મેએ નીકળેલી વિસદુરેલીમાંરાધે-કૃષ્ણ અનેરામ-સીતાના થવાંગ ખુલ્લું રહ્યું િતુ.ં તે યુરોપના સૌથી પ્રહસદ્ધ સાથેએ સમયના વડાપ્રધાન જ્િોન મેજરનુંમ્િોરુંપિેરી વિસદુઅોએ કયુ​ું છે. આ એવી બાબત છે, જે મંવદર માટેસયાયી માંગણી કરતાંસૂત્રો ઉચ્ચાયામિતાં મંહદરોમાંનું એક બન્યું છે, જેના વાહષાક તમારા સંતાનો માિે જાળવવા ઉત્સવો સમગ્ર દેશના િજારો લોકોને આકષષે ઈચ્છશો. આપણેસાથેમળીનેતેનેજાળવીએ અનેઆ દેશમાંઉન્નત મથતકે છે. સમગ્ર દેશના હિન્દુ પહરવારો અખૂિ શહિ ધરાવતા ઝૂબ ં શે કાર અને રિીએ. બીજુ,ં અમેતેમની ભયની લાગણીનેઅપીલ કરી િતી. જો સરકાર તેમના પ્રહસદ્ધ ન્યૂઝપેપસાના આભારી છે.

‘િરેકૃષ્ણ મંવદર ચળવળ’ વખતેલંડનમાંયોજાયેલ એક સમારોિમાંએ સમયના વડાપ્રધાન જ્િોન મેજર સાથેસી.બી.ની મુલાકાત થઇ ત્યારે વિટનન્થથત વિસદુઅોનેથઇ રિેલ અસયાય અનેએમની દુભાતી લાગણી વવષેરજૂઅાત કરી ઘટતુંકરવા અપીલ કરી િતી

84 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરના મંવદરમાંજવા માટેનવા ‘ધમમમાગમ’નું શાથત્રોિવવધીથી ભૂવમપૂજન કરતા વિસદુજા બંધુઅો, કાઉન્સસલર ફ્રેસકવોડડ, સી.બી પટેલ, રમેશ કાલીદાઇ તેમજ ઇથકોનના અનુયાયીઅો

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‘હરેકષ્ૃણ મંલદર બચાવો’ ઝુબ ંશ ે ના કસોટી-કાળના સંસ્મરણોની સુવાસ

ભરીને પ્રમસિ થતાં સિાચારો િાટે અિને એકાઉસટસટે ચીિકી આપી. સી.બી.ને કહ્યું કે, વાચક મિત્રો, ‘હરેકષ્ૃણ િંમિર’ બચાવો આંિોલન જ્યારેપૂરજોશિાંહતું ‘તિને ખબર છે કે તિે આટલી બધી જગા ત્યારેહું‘ગુજરાત સિાચાર’ના િેનમેજંગ એમિટર તરીકેસેવા આપતી હતી. ફાળવી કેટલો િોટો આમથયક ફટકો ભોગવી રહ્યા છો?’ આ ઝુબ ંશ ે ની વ્યૂહ-રચનાથી િાંિી એના લગભગ બધા જ કાયયિ​િોની હું શ્રી સી.બી.એ કહ્યું કે, ‘હા િને ખબર છે. કોલિ સે.િી. િીઠ £૨-૩ સાક્ષી છુ.ં જેટલો ખચયઆવેછે. પરંતુસિાજ િાટે, ધિયના રક્ષણ િાટેએ કરવાની હું આજે હું સ્વેચ્છાથી મનવૃત્ત થઈ હોવા છતાં કસસલ્ટીંગ એમિટર તરીકે િારી ફરજ સિજું છુ.ં અિે કાયયરત છુ.ં આજે આ ઝુબ ંશ ે ની ૨૦ સિાજના છિીિાર છીએ. વષયની સ્મૃમતિાંમવશેષાંક બની રહ્યો છે અિારા િાટેઆ એક યજ્ઞ છે.’ ત્યારે િને થયું કે આપ સૌને એની અિારા કાયાયલયના સૌ ભીતરની અણ-કહી બાબતો, ગમતસાથીઓ પણ આ ધિયયિુ િાટે મવમધઓથી વાકેફ કરું. આ મવગતો સંપણ ૂ પય ણે સિમપયત હતા. આ જાણી આપનેપણ અચૂક ગૌરવ થશે. સિાચારો તૈયાર કરવા, એની ‘ગુજરાત સિાચાર’ - ‘સયુલાઈફ’ િામહતી સિાચાર િાધ્યિોિાં, (હાલ એમશયન વોઈસ) કાયાયલય આ સાંસિો સુધી પહોંચતી કરવી, ઝુબ ંશ ે િાં કઈ રીતે સમિય બસયું એની ભારતના રાજકારણીઓ - સંતો રસપ્રિ િામહતી આપ સિક્ષ રજૂ કરું સિક્ષ રજૂઆત કરવી... આ છુ.ં બધાિાં શ્રી સી.બી.નો િને બરાબર યાિ છે કે િંમિરના લિબરિ ડેમોક્રેટ પક્ષના મુખ્ય મથકના પ્રવેશ દ્વાર સામેઉપવાસ પર ઉતરેિા અિયાયમિત સિય-સાધન િહંતો અને અગ્રણીઓ આપણા ભક્તોમાંપ્રથમ હરોળમાંડાબેથી સવવશ્રી પ્રાણબંધુદાસ, રમેશભાઇ શાહ, ખચાયતા હતા. કાયાયલયિાં તંત્રી શ્રી સી.બી. પટેલને અસય સંતો તેમજ પાછળની હરોળમાંડાબેથી જીતેશ ઠકરાર અનેસીબી આ ધિયયિુ િાં ઈસ્કોનના િળવા આવ્યા અને હતાશ થઈ પેટ્રસસ, સંતો-િહંતો, પાંિવ જણાવ્યું કે, ‘હવે અિારી પાસે કોઈ રસ્તો નથી. અિે આ ઝુબ ંશ ે ને સિેટી સેના, બેરીસ્ટરો, મિટનભરના મહસિુ િંમિરો અને એના અગ્રણીઓ, લઈએ છીએ.’ સાિામજક િંિળો, જ્ઞામત સંસ્થાઓ, વ્યાપારીઓ, વ્યવસામયકો સૌ કોઈ શ્રી સી.બી.એ કહ્યું કે, ‘ના... ના... આ તો ધિયયિુ છે. આપણી સાિેલ થયા. આ ઝુબ ંશ ે િાં િાત્ર મહસિુઓ જ નહીં, અસય ધિમીઓ પણ િાંગણી સયાયી છે. ગાંધીમચંધ્યા િાગગેસત્તાધીશો સિક્ષ સંગ્રાિ શરૂ કરીએ. જોિાયાં. એિાં જનતા જનાિયનનો સાથ િેળવીએ. જો આ બધાનો યોગ્ય સુિળ ે આ િરમણયા સંગ્રાિની વ્યૂહ રચનાિાં તંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી. પટેલનો સધાશેતો કોઈપણ સત્તાની તાકાત નથી કેિંમિર બંધ કરાવી શકે.’ મસંહફાળો રહ્યો. એની પ્રમસમિ, આંિોલન, મિટનના િંમિરોની ધિયયાત્રા, આ ઝુબ ંશ ે નું સુકાન સી.બી.એ હાથિાં લીધુ.ં રોજ-બરોજ કાયાયલયિાં હર્સયિીયર કાઉન્સસલના પ્રાંગણિાંધરણાં, ભૂખ હિતાળ, મવરાટ રેલી વગેરે િીટીંગો યોજાય, લાંબી ચચાયઓ થાય, સંગ્રાિ િાટેની વ્યૂહરચના ઘિાય. જાત-જાતના કાયયિ​િોનું આયોજન યુિના ધોરણે થયુ.ં આ ઝુબ ંશ ે ના િંમિરના અગ્રણીઓ, સંતો, એિ.પી.ઓ વગેરેની આવન-જાવનથી આરંભથી િાંિીને મવજય સુધીની યાત્રાના સાક્ષી બનવાનું સૌભાગ્ય િને કાયાયલય ધિધિતુંથઈ ગયુ.ં ઝુબ ંશ ે નેએક નવી દૃમિ િળી. જનતાિાંનવો સાંપડ્યુ.ં જુવાળ જાગ્યો. સયાય િાટે હેઠાં િુકલે હમથયાર પુનઃ ઉગાિાયા અને શાંમત કાઉન્સસિ સામેના ધરણાં િાગગેસંઘષયના િંિાણ થયા. કિકિતી ઠંિી, પવનના સૂસવાટા, બરફની હેલી જેવા ભયાનક િમહનાઓ સુધી આ સંગ્રાિ મવશેની િામહતી અખબારોના પાને વાતાવરણ વચ્ચેઆ ધરણાંનો પ્રારંભ થયો. એની પ્રથિ ટુકિીિાંપહેલાંજ ચિક્યા કરે. જુસ્સાભયાય તંત્રીલેખોએ સૂતેલા મહસિુઓને ઢંઢોળ્યા. પોતાની પ્રાથમિક ફરજ મવશે જાગૃત કયા​ાં. આ તંત્રીલેખો જ્યારે સી.બી. િને લખાવે ત્યારે એિની અશ્રુ ભીની આંખો અને ભારે થઈ જતાં કંઠિાં વેિના ટપકતી િેં જોઈ હતી.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of Choice” રાજકારણી મવમલયિ જેનીંગ્સ િાયનની આ ઉમિઓને સી.બી.ની ભૂમિકાિાંિેંચમરતાથયથતી જોઈ હતી. અિારા અખબારોિાંપાનાંનેપાનાં ■ જ્યોત્સના શાહ

કડકડતી ઠંડીમાંહર્સવમીયર કાઉન્સસિ સમક્ષ દેખાવો કરતા ભક્તો

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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Jyotsna Shah_Guj_Pg 85-86_A4 Temp 14/03/2014 18:18 Page 86

હટટફોડટશાયરના બોરહામવૂડ ખાતેહર્સચમીઅર બરો કાઉન્સસલની ઓફફસ બહાર ૮૩ વષચના દાદીમા સરલા ભાટીઆએ ગરમીમાંઉપવાસ કયા​ાંહતાં. સરલાબહેનના દાદાએ ભારતમાંટિટટશ શાસનનો ટવરોધ કયોચહતો અને મહાત્મા ગાંધી સાથેમીઠાના સત્યાગ્રહ દાંડીકૂચમાંભાગ લીધો હતો.

પ્રસ્તુત તસવીરમાંહાડ ધીજાવતી ઠંડીમાંઉપવાસ પર ઉતરેલા જમણેથી સરલાબેન ભાટીઆ અનેતેમના પુત્રી પ્રટમલાબેન ભાટીઆ

દિવસના િેખાવમાંહુંજોડાઈ હતી.૧૦-૧૨ જણની ટુકડી, હાથમાંપ્લે-કાડડ લઈ ન્યાય માટેભૂખ-હડતાળ પર ઉતરવાનો આનંિ-ગૌરવ કંઈ ઓર હોય છે. આ ધમમના યુદ્ધના ભાગીિાર બનવાથી ‘માંહી મડ્યા તે મહાસુખ માણે...’ પંદિની યાિ તાજી થાય છે. મારી સાથેમારા પદરદિત શ્રીમતી ભારતીબહેન રમેશિંદ્ર પટેલ (શ્રીમતી રશ્મમબહેન અમીનની બેન) હતા. દિવસ આખો સત્સંગ કરી સાંજેમંદિર પરત ફયા​ાં. ગરમાગરમ ખીિડી, કઢી-શાકની ભોજન પ્રસાિી લઈ સૌ પોતપોતાના ઘેર ગયા. પરંતુ એ દિવસ કાયમી તમૃદત બની રહ્યો. આ ઝુબ ં શે માટેવેમ્બલી ખાતેયોજાયેલ પ્રથમ રેલીમાંથોડી દનરાશા સાંપડી પરંતુ ‘હદરનો મારગ છે શૂરાનો....’ની જેમ આગેકિૂ જારી રહી. ત્યાર પછીની ૧૬ માિમ ૧૯૯૪ના રોજ યોજાયેલી મહારેલી દવક્રમસજમક રહી. ૩૫,૦૦૦ કરતાં વધારે દહન્િુઓ, હાથમાં વાવટાઓ લઈ સૂિોચ્ચારો કરતા, કેસરી પટ્ટાઓ પહેરી, વ્હીલિેરમાંબેસી, પગેિાલવાની તકલીફ છતાં

ક્રિીસની મિ​િથી િાલતા વદડલો, પોતાના કામ-ધંધા બંધ કરી નીકળી પડેલા વ્યાપારીઓ અને વ્યવસાદયકો, નોકદરયાતો, દવદ્યાથથીઓ સૌ કોઈએ સાથે મળીનેશાસકોનેનમાવ્યા. સેન્ટ્રલ લંડનમાં પાલામમન્ેટની િદિણ આવેલા ઈમ્પીરીયલ વોર મ્યુઝીયમની બાજુના મેિાનમાં સરઘસ સભામાં ફેરવાયુ.ં એ ઐદતહાદસક રેલીનું દ્રમય આજેય આંખ સમિ ખડું થતાં રોમેરોમમાં રોમાંિ અનુભવાય છે. ખુશીની લહેર િોડેછે. લાંબા સંઘષમના અંતેઆખરેજ્યારેઆ ઝુબ ં શે નેદવજય થયો ત્યારેજ્યોજમ હેરીસને કહ્યું હતું કે, ‘ગુજરાત સમાિાર - ન્યુ લાઈફ (હાલ ‘એદશયન વોઈસ’) માધ્યમો દ્વારા જો શ્રી સી.બી. પટેલેઆ ઝુબ ં શે ઊઠાવી ના હોત તો એના અદતખરાબ પદરણામોથી રૂંવાડા ઊભા થઈ જાત.’ િશમનાથથીઓ માટે મંદિર ખુલ્લું રાખવાની દવજય ઘોષણાથી માંડી આ દવજયોત્સવના કાયમક્રમોમાંશ્રી સી.બી.ના અનુિાનની ગૌરવભેર નોંધ લેવાય છે. એની િશાશ્દિના કાયમક્રમમાંશ્રી સી.બી.ની ગેરહાજરીમાંહું, પુષ્પાબહેન અનેસરોજબહેન હાજરી આપવા ગયા હતા ત્યારેપણ એની દવડીયોમાંશ્રી સી.બી.ને હીરો પ્રતથાદપત કરેલા જોઈ અમને અનહિ ખુશી અને ગૌરવ ઉપજ્યાંહતાં. મેંહાલ ભલેદનવૃદિ લીધી છેપરંતુમારો લગાવ એબીપીએલ ગ્રુપ સાથેજીવનના અંદતમ શ્વાસ સુધી િાલુરહેશ.ે એબીપીએલના પ્રકાશનો ‘ગુજરાત સમાિાર’ અને ‘એદશયન વોઈસ’ સમાજ સમદપમત છે એ જ અમારી મોંઘી મૂડી છે. આજે ય આપણા સમાજના કાયમક્રમોમાં મને આમંદિત કરાય છેઅનેસન્માન મળેછેએના મૂળમાંઅમારા અખબારોની સમાજ પરશ્તત છે.

૧૬મી માચચેઢોલ મંજીરા સાથેનીકળેલી રેલીનુંદ્રશ્ય

૨૬મી માચચ, ૧૯૯૪ના રોજ રેલી અનેદેખાવોમાંજોડાયેલા ભક્તો

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હરેકૃષ્ણ મંવિર બચાિ મહાસંઘષચની બોલતી તસિીર

1994

વિશાળ વિરોધ કૂચ

તા. ૧૬મી માચચના રોજ હરેકૃષ્ણ મંવિરનેબચાિ​િા માટેસેન્ટ્રલ લંડનના માગોચપર કાઢિામાંઆિેલી વિશાળ કૂચમાં૩૫ હજાર કરતા િધુવહન્િુઅો એકત્ર થયા હતા. કૂચ પછી ઇમ્પીરીયલ િોર મ્યુઝીયમના મેિાનમાંસભા યોજાઇ હતી. કૂચ પાલાચમેન્ટ પાસેપહોંચતા જોડાયેલા ભક્તોનો ઉત્સાહ બેિડાઇ ગયો હતો અનેકેટલાક રસ્તા પર બેસી ગયા હતા તો કેટલાક ભક્તોએ રસ્તા પર સુઇ જઇનેવિરોધ વ્યક્ત કયોચહતો. કેટલાક ભક્તોની પોલીસે ધરપકડ પણ કરી હતી.

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1994

હરેકૃષ્ણ મંલદર બચાવ મહાસંઘષવની બોિતી તસવીર

હરેકૃષ્ણ મંલદરનેબચાવવા માટેની ઝૂંબશ ે અનેઆ કૂચમાંકકથ વાઝ સલહત લવલવધ પક્ષના નેતાઅો અને અગ્રણીઅો જોડાયા હતા. યુવાન યુવતીઅો રાધાકૃષ્ણના વસ્ત્રો પલરધાન કરીનેકૂચમાંજોડાયા હતા. કૂચમાં અવનવા પ્િેકાડડસાથેજોડાયેિા ભક્તોની લવશાળ કૂચ શાંલતપૂણવરહી હતી. જેનાથી પોિીસ અનેસરકાર પણ અચંલબત થઇ ગઇ હતી.

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લિબરિ ડેમોક્રેટ પક્ષના મુખ્ય મથકના પ્રવેશ દ્વારા સામેઉપવાસ પર ઉતરેિા ભક્તોમાંપ્રથમ હરોળમાંડાબેથી સવવશ્રી પ્રાણબંધુદાસ, રમેશભાઇ શાહ, અન્ય સંતો તેમજ પાછળની હરોળમાં ડાબેથી જીતેશ ઠકરાર, સીબી વગેરેનજરેપડેછે.

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હરેકષ્ૃણ મંવદર બચાવો ઝુબ ંશ ે માંઅાપણા પ્રકાશનો અને યુ.કે.ની વહન્દુપ્રજાનુંનામ ઇસ્કોનના ઇવતહાસમાંસુવણણઅક્ષરેલખાશે ■ કોકકલા પટેલ

છેલ્લા ૫૪ વષષથી વવદેશમાંવસવા છતાં ભારતીય અસ્મમતા અને વિસદુત્વનું મવાવભમાન ધરાવનાર સી.બી. પટેલેલંડનમાં ચેઇન શોપોનો ધીકતો ધંધો છોડી પત્રકારત્વમાંઝંપલાવ્યુંિતુ.ં ૭૦ના દાયકામાં નમષદા તટે કરનાળી અાશ્રમમાં સસયાસી વપતાજીએ "પૈસા ભેગા કરીને શું કરશો? એના કરતાં પરદેશમાં વિસદુ સંમકારવારસા અને લોકસેવાનું કામ કરો તો?!" મવામીશ્રીએ કરેલા ભાવવ અગૂવલનદદેશને માથે ચઢાવી જ્ઞાનયજ્ઞ-સેવાયજ્ઞનો ભેખ લેનાર અા સાપ્તાવિકો "ગુજરાત સમાચાર અનેAsian Voice"ના તંત્રી સી.બી પટેલેવપતાજીની અાજ્ઞા અનુસરી સાચા અથષમાંધમષઅનેસંમકૃવતની સેવા કરી છે. વોટફોડડખાતેિટડમમીયર કાઉસ્સસલ અનેવિટીશ સરકારેઇમકોન સંચાવલત "િરેકષ્ૃણ, િરેરામ" મંવદરના દરવાજા દશષનાથથીઅો માટેબંધ કરવાનો અાદેશ અાપ્યો ત્યારે વિસદુધમષની શાન અને અાણને અાંચ ના અાવેએ માટે"િાંક પડેવિસદુજાગે"; "ધમોષરક્ષવત ધમષ:", ચલો જીતવા જંગ બ્યુગલ વાગે" જેવી િેડલાઇનો સાથેયુ.કેભરના વિસદુઅોનેપોતાના િક્કો માટે ઢંઢોળી-જનજાગૃવત લાવનાર પ્રકાશનો "ગુજરાત સમાચાર અને એવશયન વોઇસ” (એ સમયનું સયુલાઇફ)નું નામ યુ.કે સવિત દેશવવદેશમાંગાજતુંથયુંછે.

"ભવિવેદાંત મેનોર" પર સરકારી અાફત:

૧૯૭૩માં જયોજજ હેરીસને ૧૭ એકરની જગ્યા અને ભવ્ય ઇમારત ખરીદી ઇથકોનને ભેટ ધરી દીધી હતી. "ભવિ વેદાંત મેનોર"ના નામે ખરીદાયેલ અા વવશાળ જગ્યામાંશ્રીલા પ્રભુપાદેરાધા કૃષ્ણ અનેરામ-સીતા દરબારની મૂવતજથથાવપત કરતાંત્યાંવહસદુશ્રધ્ધાળુઅો દશજનેઅાવવા લાગ્યા. શ્રી હેરીસને વોટફોડડની અા ઇમારત કૃષ્ણાપજણ કરી ત્યારથી જ થથાવનક વિટીશ રહેવાસીઅો અનેહટડથમીયર કાઉન્સસલની અાંખમાંએ કણાની જેમ ખટકતુંહતુ.ં અા મંવદરમાંધીરેધીરેવહસદુશ્રધ્ધાળુઅોની સંખ્યા વધવા લાગી એટલેથથાવનક રહેવાસીઅો અનેકાઉન્સસલને"ભાવતુંહતુંનેવૈદેકહ્યા" જેવું થયુ.ં ૧૯૮૧માં ટ્રાફીક જામ, ઘોંઘાટ અને પ્રદૂષણના બહાના હેઠળ મંવદર બંધ કરાવવાના ચક્રો ગવતમાન થયાં. વહસદુહવરભિોએ લાખ્ખોની સંખ્યામાં સહીઅો કરી પીટીશન ફાઇલ કરવા છતાં સત્તાવાળા ટશના મસ ના થયા. ૧૯૮૯માં ૭,૦૦૦થી વધુ વહસદુઅોએ લંડનમાં ‘થપોસસર વોક’ કરી અપીલ કરી અનેકોટટડ લડવા £૧ લાખની ફી માટટભંડોળ એકત્ર કયુ​ું. ભવિવેદાંત મેનોર (ઇથકોન)ના એ વેળાના પ્રમુખ અખંડાધીદાસ અને કાયજકતાજઅો હાઇકોટડ, સુપ્રીમ કોટડઅનેયુરોવપયન કોટડમાંગયા. ત્યાંપણ કેસ હારી ગયા. ૧૯૯૦માં અા અપીલ ઠુકરાવી દેવાતાં સેક્રટે રી અોફ થટટટ જહોન ગમરે "No New Temple, Stop your worship, Stop your Festivals'નુંફરમાન કરી ૧૬ માચજ૧૯૯૪ના રોજ 'વોટફોડડ હરેકૃષ્ણ મંવદર"ના દરવાજા દશજનાથથીઅો માટટબંધ કરવાનો અાદેશ અાપ્યો.

સી.બી અનેએમના પ્રકાશનોની મદદ માટેઅપીલ:

કૃષ્ણ ભવિમાં લીન ઇથકોનના સાધકો ઉપર દશજનાથથીઅો માટટ "મંવદરના દરવાજા બંધ" કરવાનુંદબાણ વધતુંગયુ.ં ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરના કાયજકતાજઅો અને સાધકો મુઝં ાયા. કાઉન્સસલ કે કેસદ્ર સામે બાથ ભીડવામાં તેઅો કાચા પડતા જણાયા. સરકાર સામે હવથયાર હેઠા મૂકવા જેવી પવરન્થથવત સજાજઇ. અાવા વખતે કેટલાક વહસદુ યુવા કાયજકરો, અગ્રગણ્યો અને એ વખતના ભવિવેદાંત મેનોર-મંવદરના પ્રેવસડટસટ અખંડાધીદાસજીને જાણેએક અાશાનુંકકરણ દેખાયુ.ં સાઉથોલમાંકાયદાશાથત્રી તરીકેધીખતી પ્રેકટીશ કરનાર જીતેશભાઇ ઠકરાર પણ વોટફોડડના અા મંવદર સાથે ખૂબ સંકળાયેલા હતા. જીતેશભાઇએ મંગળવારે"ગુજરાત સમાચાર" કાયાજલયમાં ફોન કરી તંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી. પટટલને બીજા વદવસે જ મળવાની ઇચ્છા વ્યકત કરી. બુધવારે બન્ને અખબારોનો પ્રેસ ડટ હોવાથી કાયાજલય અત્યંત વ્યથત હોવા છતાં સી.બીએ બુધવારે ૪.૦૦ વાગ્યાનો સમય અાપ્યો. એ વદવસે જીતેશભાઇ ઠકરાર સાથે વોટફોડડ હરે કૃષ્ણ મંવદરના પ્રમુખ અખંડાધીદાસ, શ્રુવતધમજદાસ, પ્રાણબંધદુ ાસ, રમેશભાઇ શાહ, પ્રફુલભાઇ શાહ સવહત ૧૮ વોટફોડડના ભવિવેદાંત મેનોર પર જેટલા વ્યવિઅો કાગળ અને અાવી પડેલ અાફતની વવગતો સાંભળી ફાઇલો ભરેલા બોક્સ લઇને રહેલા સી.બી. પટેલ કાયાજલયમાં અાવ્યા. થોકબંધ ફાઇલોવાળા બોક્સ સી.બી.ના ટટબલ ઉપર અોકફસમાં મૂકી સૌએ "હરેકષ્ૃણ, હરે રામ"ના મંત્રોચ્ચાર શરૂ કયાજ. ઘડીભર તંત્રીશ્રી પણ મૂઝં ાયા કેઅા સૌ શુંકરવા માંગેછે. જીતેશભાઇ અને અખંડાધીદાસે સી.બી. પટટલને હરેકષ્ૃણ મંવદર લડતની તમામ વવગતો રજૂ કરતાં જણાવ્યું કે, "અમારા માટટ હવે બારણા બંધ થઇ ગયા છે. વોટફોડડના ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરને તાળા લાગવાની તૈયારી છે એની ફાઇલો અાપ સમક્ષ લાવ્યા છીએ. આ ઝુબ ં શે સમેટી લેવા વસવાય અમે શું કરી શકીએ?"

મંવદર બચાવ ઝુબ ંશ ે માટેગાંધીચીધ્યા માગગેઅાયોજન:

સનાતન વહસદુધમજનુંમૂલ્ય જીવનમાંકેટલુંમહત્વનુંછેએ સમજનાર અા ખમીરવંતા ગુજરાતી તંત્રીશ્રીના શબ્દો "અા એક ધમજયધ્ુધ છે"એ નાસીપાસ થયેલા સૌમાંએક નવો સંચાર જાગ્રત કયોજ. તેમણેકહ્યુંકે, "તમેઅામ વનરાશ થઇ બધું વીંટોવાળી શરણે થઇ જશો તો મંવદરને જરૂર તાળાં વાગી જશે. તમેએમ.પી.અો અનેકાઉન્સસલરોનો સંપકકકરી એમનો સહકાર માંગો. એ માટટસૌએ એમ.પીઅોનેમળવા પ્રયત્ન કયાજપણ કોઇ એમ.પી.એ મદદ માટટ તૈયારી બતાવી નવહ. એ પછી સી.બી. પટટલેસૌનેસૂચન કયુ​ુંકે, "અા એક રાજકીય અાંદોલન છે. "સયુલાઇફ અને ગુજરાત સમાચાર" એમાં બને એટલી વબનશરતી મદદ કરશે. અા એક ધમજયધ્ુધની ઝુબ ં શે છે એમાં ઉશ્કેરણીજનક કોઇપણ વ્યવહાર ન થાય એની તકેદારી રાખવાની રહેશ.ે અા યુધ્ધ શાંવતપૂણ-જ ગાંધીચીંધ્યા સત્યાગ્રહના માગગેઅાપણેલડીશુ.ં"

"હરેકષ્ૃણ ટેમ્પલ વડફેન્સ મુવમેન્ટ" દ્વારા સત્યાગ્રહ:

વિટીશ સરકાર અનેથથાવનક કાઉન્સસલ સામેસયાયપૂણજલડત અાદરવા ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરમાં "હરે કૃષ્ણ ટટમ્પલ ડીફેસસ મુવમેસટનો અારંભ થયો." એ સાથે જ "હરેકષ્ૃણ મંવદર બચાવવા ઉપવાસ-સત્યાગ્રહનો અારંભ" થયો

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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જેની નોંધ ૧૮ ફેિઅ ુ ારી '૯૪ના અંકમાં લેવાઇ. સી.બી પાસે જનજાગૃવત લાવવા માટે બે અખબારી સાધન હતા. એમણે સૌ પ્રથમ પાલાિમદેટના એમ.પીઅોનેઅલલી મોશન માટેફેક્સ મોકલાવ્યો. એમાંિેદટ નોથિના ટોરી પિના જમણેરી વલણવાળા એમ.પી. રહોડ્સ બોયસને ફોન કરી પહેલી તૈયારી બતાવી. સી.બી. પટેલ અને બન્ને અખબારોનો પ્રભાવ જોઇ "હરે કૃષ્ણ વડફેદસ મુવમેદટ કવમટી"એ સી.બી.ને અા મુવમેદટના લીડર-જનરલ અથવા તો મશાલચી બનવા અાગ્રહ કયોિ. ત્યારેસી.બીએ કહ્યુંકે, "હુંતમને વદશાસૂચન કરી શકુ.ં એ માટેજેવનણિય લઇએ એમાંસૌએ દ્રઢવનધાિર કરવો પડે. રાજકારણીઅો અને સમાચાર માધ્યમોનો સંપકક કરવો, ફંડફાળો કેવી રીતેઉઘરાવવો અનેવહદદુસંગઠનોનેસંગવઠત કરવાની યોજના તૈયાર થઇ. કોઇની પણ શેહશરમ કે પ્રભાવમાં અાવ્યા વગર સત્યને વળગી વબનધાથતપણેસચોટ વાત રજૂકરનાર અા સમાચાર પત્રોએ હટડફોડડશાયરમાં પ્રવતિતી પવરન્થથવત રજૂકરી ધાવમિક લાગણીનેઠેબેચડાવવા અધીરા બનેલા સત્તાધારીઅોની શાન ઠેકાણે લાવવા ગાંધી ચીધ્યામાગગે શાંવતપૂણિ સત્યાગ્રહ શરૂ કયોિ. એમાં લેથટર ઇથટના એમ.પી. કીથ વાઝ, એ વેળાના લીબ-ડેમ એમ.પી અને હાલના લોડડ ધોળફકયા પણ જોડાયા. "ધોળે દહાડે તિટીશ ન્યાયની શોધ" (૧૧ માચિ ૧૯૯૪ના અંકના) મથાળા હેઠળ કીથ વાઝ સવહત કેટલાક અગ્રગણ્યો અનેમંવદર વડફેદસ કવમટીના સભ્યોએ ફાનસ લઇ સત્તાધીશો સમિ ધા નાખી એનો સવચત્ર વવથતૃત અહેવાલ પ્રવસધ્ધ થયો હતો.

લહન્દુ જનતામાં જાગૃલત લાવવા તંત્રી અને પ્રકાશનોનું અનુદાન:

"હરે કૃષ્ણ" મંવદર માટે જયાં સુધી દયાય ન મળે ત્યાં સુધી "ગુજરાત સમાચાર" અનેAsian Voice"ના પ્રવત સપ્તાહના અંકોમાંપાનેપાના ભરી લેખો-તંત્રીલેખો રજૂકરી પોતીકા હક્ક માટેવિટીશ ભારતીય જનતામાં જાગૃવત લાવવા અવભયાન અાદયુ.ું ૨૮ જાદયુઅારી ૯૪ના અંકના તંત્રીલેખમાં"ધમો​ોરક્ષતિ ધમો:"ના મથાળા હેઠળ તંત્રીશ્રીએ વહદદુજનતાને ઢંઢોળવા પ્રયાસ કયોિછે. એમાંતેમણેસૌ વાચકોનેએમા ખાસ કરીનેવહદદુ વ્યવસાયીઅો (ડોકટરો, બેરીથટરો, સોલીસીટરો, એકાઉદટદટો, ઇજનેરો), વશવિત સજ્જનો અનેસન્નારીઅો સવહત શ્રેષ્ઠીઅોનેએક થવમાની ભારતીય તરીકે ફરજ વનભાવી પોતપોતાના લેટરહેડ પર થથાવનક એમ.પીઅો, કાઉન્દસલરો તેમજ સત્તાધારીઅોનેવનવેદન પત્ર પાઠવવા અપીલ કરી હતી. પોતાના હક્ક માટે કાનૂની દાયરામાં રહી બંધારણીય રીતે શાંવતપૂણિ માગગે યુધ્ધમાં ઉતરવું એમાં કશું જ અજુગતું નથી. અંતે તો મનુષ્ય ધમિ અને સંથકૃવતના બેપાયા પર ઉભો રહેછેએટલુંજ નવહ પણ તેનુંઘડતર, વવકાસ અનેઅનુદાન અા પવરબળો પર અવલંબેછે." ૨૮ જાદયુઅારી '૯૪ના અંકના પ્રથમ પાને"હરેકૃષ્ણ મંતદર બંધ ના થવા દેવાય: શીખ અગ્રણીઅોની ઘોષણા" મથાળા હેઠળ વોટફોડડમંવદરની

મુલાકાતે ગયેલા શીખ અગ્રણીઅોના હૂંકારને પ્રગટ કરતાં જણાવ્યું કે, "ભૂતકાળમાંવહદદુધમિપર અાિમણ વવષમ બદયુંત્યારેશીખ ધમિનો ઉદય થયો. વહદદુધમિની રિા કાજેહજારો શીખોએ તન-મન-ધન દયોછાવર કયાું હતાં. એવા ખમીરવંતા શીખ નેતાઅોએ જણાવ્યું કે, મંવદર બચાવવાના મહાયજ્ઞમાંશીખ કોમનો સવિપ્રકારેસાથ-સહકાર મળશેએટલુંજ નવહ પણ હટડથમીયર કાઉન્દસલ સમિ શીખ અગ્રણીઅો પોતાનો મજબૂત અવાજ રજૂ કરશે". ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરમાં નરેશ ચઢ્ઢાના અધ્યિપણા હેઠળ "હરે કૃષ્ણ ટેમ્પલ ડીફેદસ મુવમેદટ" દ્વારા ૧૪ ફેિઅ ુ ારી '૯૪, સોમવારની સવારે ઉપવાસ યજ્ઞ સાથેસત્યાગ્રહનો અારંભ થયો. અા ઉપવાસ યજ્ઞમાંઠેરઠેરથી સત્યાગ્રહીઅો જોડાયા. અગાઉની જાહેરાત અનુસાર બરાબર ૧૦ વાગે ભારે હીમવષાિની પરવાહ કયાિ વગર વડફેદસ કવમટીના સભ્યો સવહત થવૈચ્છીક સત્યાગ્રહીઅોએ બોરહામવુડ ખાતે હટડથમીયર કાઉન્દસલની અાલીશાન ઇમારતના પ્રવેશ દ્વારની બહાર પ્રભુથમરણ સાથેસત્યાગ્રહ અને ઉપવાસ અાદયાિ ત્યારે વાતાવરણ તેમની શ્રધ્ધા અને તપશ્ચયાિની અાકરી કસોટી સમાન હતુ.ં" એ વખતે ૧૮ ફેિઅ ુ ારી '૯૪ના અંકમાં પ્રથમ પાને "હરેકૃષ્ણ મંતદર બચાવવા ઉપવાસ-સત્યાગ્રહનો અારંભ" મથાળા હેઠળ સત્યાગ્રહીઅોની તસવીર પ્રવસધ્ધ કરાઇ હતી. ઉપવાસયજ્ઞમાં સામેલ થયેલા સત્યાગ્રહીઅો શ્રી અને શ્રીમતી દયાળજી નકુમ (ઇથટહામ), સુનીલ પરમાર (વુડગ્રીન), એ.ટી. જોષી (થટેનમોર), એમ. પોવેલ (બોરહામવુડ), ઉવમિલાબહેન પટેલ (વોટફોડડ), કૌશીકભાઇ પટેલ (હેરો), ફફલીપ અનેપેટ્રા લુસીયન (બેઝીલ્ડન), દુગશગે દેસાઇ (હેરો), જી.પી. સવજાણી (કીંગ્સબરી), વવનોદ દત્તાણી (ઇલ્ફડડ), રમેશભાઇ જોષી (થટેનમોર), હસમુખભાઇ મોદી (એજવેર), ઇન્દદરાબેન પટેલ (નોથિ વેમ્બલી), શાંવતલાલ દુદકીયા (સેદડરથટેડ), હસમુખભાઇ ઠકરાર (ઇલ્ફડડ), જીતેશભાઇ ઠકરાર (સાઉથોલ), જશવંત ધીલન (સાઉથોલ), ભારતીબેન અાર. પટેલ (એજવેર), સી.બી. પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), પુષ્પાબેન પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), સરોજબેન પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), સુરદેદ્રભાઇ પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), જયોત્સનાબેન શાહ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), રશ્મીબેન અમીન (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), કોફકલાબેન પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), રમીલાબેન પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), પરાગીબેન ઠકરાર (ગુજરાત સમાચાર), પ્રવવણાબેન પટેલ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર) ૧૮ ફેિઅ ુ ારી ૧૯૯૪ના તંત્રીલેખમાં"સૌ ચાલો જીિવા જંગ બ્યૂગલ વાગે.."ના મથાળા હેઠળ વનન્ષ્િય-ઉંઘતા વહદદુઅોનેજાગ્રત કરતાંલખ્યુંકે, "વિટનના સૌથી વવખ્યાત વહદદુથથળની હયાવત માટેહવેસંગ્રામ શરૂ થઇ

વેમ્બલીમાં ઈલલંગ રોડ પર એક માઈલના સરઘસ સ્વરૂપે હજારો વોકસસ ‘હરે કૃષ્ણા હરે રામ’ના નારા સાથે ભારે ગરમીમાં પણ ચાલ્યા હતા

90 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

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અાગળ અાવે." અા મંતિર બચાવ અાંિોલનમાં કેટલીક ધમમસસ્ંથાઅોએ "અા મંતિર cult (સંપ્રિાય કે ઘેલછાભરી લહેર) હોવાનું કહી નન્નો ભણ્યો ત્યારેસી.બી.એ "હરેકૃષ્ણ, હરેરામ" એ વૈષ્ણવ, રઘુવંશી શ્રીરામ કે સ્વાતમનારાયણ સંપ્રિાયીઅોની જેમ કૃષ્ણભતિમાં લીન રહેિો સંપ્રિાય હોવાનું જણાવી સૌને સહકાર અાપવા અાગ્રહ કયોમ હિો. િંત્રીશ્રીએ તવતવધ સંપ્રિાયોમાં વહેંચાયેલા તહસિુધમમી સંિ-મહાત્માઅોને અાહ્વાન કરિા લખ્યું કે, "હરે કૃષ્ણ મંતિર બચાવો અાંિોલનનેવધુબળવત્તર બનાવવા માટે ૫૦૦થી વધુ યુવક-યુવિીઅોએ શપથ લીધા છે. પાંડવ સેનાના શાંતિયજ્ઞમાં પ.પૂ. પ્રમુખસ્વામી જેવા અા યુગના મહાન સંિ પ્રેતરિ સ્વાતમનારાયણ તહસિુ તમશન િરફથી બે કોચ ભરીનેઅાબાલવૃધ્ધ મોકલ્યા હિા એ ૨૬મી મે૧૯૯૪ના રોજ પાલાયમેન્ટ સમક્ષ રસ્તા રોકો અાંિોલન થયુંએ વેળાએ પાલાયમન્ે ટના િરવાજા સામે ગૌરવની વાિ છે. પૂ. પ્રમુખ સ્વામીની જેમ સી.બી. અનેકીથ વાઝ સેક્રેટરી અોફ સ્ટેટ જહોન ગમરનેઅાવેિન પત્ર મોકલવા ચચાયકરી રહ્યા​ા છે અસય સંિ મહાત્માઅોએ પણ પોિાના ચૂકયો છે. ધમમઅનેસંસ્કૃતિ માટેના અા જંગનેવાચા અાપવાની "ગુજરાિ અનુયાયીઅોને હરે કૃષ્ણ મંતિર માટે િન-મન અને ધન સયોછાવર કરવા સમાચાર" પોિાની ફરજ માને છે. ૧૬ માચચે દશશનાથથીઅો માટે મંદદરના પ્રે રણા ના અાપી હોય િો સત્વરેએમ કરવુંજોઇએ. અાજના સમયની એ દરવાજા બંધ ના થાય તેમ કરવા અાપણેજેટલા અાતુર છીએ એટલા જ િાિી જરૂર છે." તેથી વધુ અાપણા દવરોધીઅો ઉત્સુક છે એમ તપષ્ટ સમજી લેવ.ું શાંદત, ‘ગુ જરાિ સમાચાર અનેએતશયન વોઇસ’ દ્વારા શરૂ થયેલ જનજાગૃતિ સહ અસ્તતત્વ અને સહકારને વરેલો દહસદુધમશ ૨૦મી સદીના અંદતમ અતભયાનને સમગ્ર તિટન અને યુરોપભરમાંથી અપ્રતિમ સહકાર સાંપડી તબક્કામાં અાવો અસયાય મૂગ ં ે મોંઢે સહન કરવા તૈયાર નથી. પોતાને રહ્યો હિો. અા અખબારોમાં રોજે રોજ પાના ભરીને રજૂ થયેલા સચોટ દહસદુ ગણાવતા દરેકની ફરજ છે કે એક યા બીજી રીતે અા મંદદર અહે વ ાલોનો ઘેરો પડઘો તહસિુ જનિા જનાિમન સાથે તિટીશ પાલામમસેટમાં બચાવવા અને તે દ્વારા પોતાના સંતકારની શાખ સાચવવા તવેચ્છાથી પણ પડિો જણાિો હિો. હરે કૃષ્ણ મંતિર બચાવ અાંિોલન દ્વારા તવતવધ કાયમક્રમો દ્વારા ઝુબ ં શે વધુવેગવાન બની રહી હિી. વેમ્બલી ખાિે૧૦,૦૦૦ જેટલા તહસિુઅોએ સરઘસ કાઢી હર્મસમીયર બરો કાઉન્સસલના અસયાયી વલણ સામેભારેરોષ પ્રગટ કયોમએના સતચત્ર અહેવાલ સાથેસી.બી.એ ૪ માચમ '૯૪ના અંકના પ્રથમ પાને "હટટતમીયર કાઉસ્સસલના માંધાતાઅોને હંફાવવા દવરાટ રેલીનો રોષ"ના સતચત્ર મથાળા હેઠળ અા ઝૂબ ં શે ને વધુ વેગ અાપ્યો હિો. અા રેલીના પડઘા રૂપે બીજા સપ્તાહે લેસ્ટર ઇસ્ટના એમ.પી કીથ વાઝ દ્વારા પાલામમસેટમાંરજૂથયેલ "ભદિ વેદાંત મેનોર અને દશશનનો અદધકાર" મોશનને સત્તાવાર રજૂ થયાના સમાચાર પ્રથમપાને પ્રતસધ્ધ થયા. જેમાં ૪૦ જેટલા એમ.પીઅોએ અા મોશનને ટેકો અાપ્યો હોવાનુંજણાવ્યુ.ં" "જાગો ઉઠો ધ્યેય દસધ્ધ ન થાય ત્યાંસુધી થોભો નદહ" મથાળા હેઠળ ૪ માચમ '૯૪ના અંકના પાન-૨ ઉપર સીબીએ વેમ્બલીની તવરાટ રેલીને વધાવિાંલખ્યુંકે, "હટટસ્મીયર કાઉન્સસલના સત્તાધારીઅો હઠેચડ્યા છેત્યારે

ભગવા રંગની ધ્વજાઅો અનેદવદવધ બેનરો સાથેશાસકોનેજગાડતી દવરાટ રેલી પાલાયમેન્ટ સામેજઇ ઉભી ત્યારેસી.બી. પટેલેપણ સૌની સાથે જ રહી ગાંધીચીંધ્યા માગગેસરકાર સમક્ષ વ્યાજબી હક્કની માંગ કરી હતી

મંદિર બચાવ ઝુંબેશમાંયુવાનોની પાંડવ સેનાએ પણ સૌમાંચેતના જગાડવાનુંકાયયકયુ​ુંહતું

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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૨૬ મે૧૯૯૪ની બપોરેવરસતા વરસાદની પરવાહ કયા​ાવગર પાલા​ામેન્ટ સમક્ષ રસ્તા રોકી બેઠલ ે ા રહન્દુભાઇબહેનો

હિટનના શહેરો, નગરોમાં વસતી હહસદુ જનતા જાગ્રત બની હટટસ્મીયર કાઉન્સસલના માંધાતાઅોની મેલી મુરાદોને પડકારી રહી છે. ઇહતહાસના પાના પર ધમમઝનૂની તરીકે કદાપી જેની ગણના થઇ નથી એવી ધમમભીરુ અનેતડજોડ કરનાર હહસદુપ્રજા કોઇપણ ભોગેહરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદરના દ્વાર બંધ થવા દેશે નહહ જ. એની પ્રત્યક્ષ પ્રહતતી રહવવારે વેમ્બલીના માગોમ પર નીકળેલી જંગી રેલી જોઇને થઇ." ભય વગર પ્રીહત નથી એ સયાયે સી.બી.એ "ગુજરાત સમાચાર"માંવેમ્બલીની રેલીમાંકોણ અાવ્યુંઅનેકોણ ના અાવ્યુ?ં ના મથાળા હેઠળ લંડનમાં હાજર સાધુ-સંતો-કથાકારોનો નામોલ્લેખ કરી એમની ફરજપરસ્તીનેલલકારી હતી. "ગુજરાત સમાચાર"માં તંત્રીશ્રીએ અાવી પડેલ સંકટ સામે ધમમની શાન જાળવવા સંત-મહાત્માઅોને અાહવાન કરતાં પ.પૂ. પ્રમુખસ્વામી, પૂ. મોરારીબાપુ, શ્રી સમિદાનંદ સ્વામી, પૂ. સ્વામી સત્યમમત્રાનંદ મગમરજીએ લેમખત પત્રો પાઠવી "હરે કૃષ્ણ મંમદર બચાવ" અાંદોલનને ટેકો અાપ્યો હતો. (જેઅા અંકમાંઅન્યત્ર પ્રમસધ્ધ કરાયા છે). "ડંકો વાગ્યો રણવીરા શૂરા જાગજો રે" મથાળુ વાંચી ભલભલા બેઠો થાય એવા ૪-૩-૯૪ના અંકના તંત્રીલેખમાં સી.બી.એ સૌને અાહવાન કરતાંજણાવ્યુંકે, "સ્વધમમ, સ્વમાન અનેસહીસલામતી માટેનાત-જાત અને ધમમના ભેદભાવ ભૂલીને સ્વેચ્છાથી સૌએ ૧૬મી માચચે પાટનગર લંડનમાં યોજાયેલ સરઘસ-સભામાં હાજરી અાપે જ છૂટકો. અા ઉપરાંત ૧૧ માચમ

૯૪ના અંકના પ્રથમ પાને "હરે કૃષ્ણ મંમદરને તાળાબંધી સામે મવશાળ સરઘસ-સભાનું અાયોજન" મથાળા હેઠળ સૌ હહસદુ જનતાને અાહવાન કરતાં લખ્યું કે, "અા સભા સરઘસમાં જોડાવાથી જ લઘુમતી ધમોમ ઉપરનું દુ:સાહસ ટળશે નહહં અલબત્ત જંગી જનમેદનીનો જયજયકાર સાંભળી દુષ્ટોના ગાત્રો જરૂર હશહથલ થશે અને લોકશાહીની રીતરસમ મુજબ

૨૬મે૧૯૯૪ના રોજ માતૃશરિએ પણ ભલી કરી હતી. રસ્તા પર જમાવટ કરી બેઠેલી પાંડવ સેના સાથેબહેનો અનેમાતાઅો

પાંડવ સેના-રામસેનાની પલાંઠીએ પોલીસનેપડકાયા​ાત્યારેબળપૂવક ા હરરભિોનેઢસેડી રહેલી પોલીસ

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પોલીસનો કડક બંદોબસ્ત હોિા છતાંપાલાચમેન્ટનેઘેરો ઘાલી ઉભેલી જનમેદની.

સંખ્યાબળના સરવાળા-બાદબાકીના પ્રતાપે અત્રેના રાજકારણે અાપણી હથતીનેહવેપછી વધુલક્ષમાંલેવી પડશે." તંત્રીશ્રીના અાવા ટંકાર સાથેસનાતની હહન્દુસેવક તરીકેનુંઅહિમાન ધરાવનાર ગીતાપ્રકાશ બાલમુકદંુ ેપણ કુરુક્ષેત્ર મેદાનમાંિગવાન શ્રીકૃષ્ણએ વીર અજુનુ નેઅાપેલ ગીતાનો પ્રધાન સંદશે "લડ, યુધ્ધ કર, લડ્યા હસવાય કંઇ જ મળશેનહહ." ૧૬મી માચચેમોરચો મંડાઇ ગયો છે. તમેહહન્દુછો? જાગો ઉિા થાવ, હહન્દુઅો નામદુ નથી, ઋહિમુહનઅોનું લોહી એમની નસોમાંવહેછે. હટટથમીયરના માંધાતાઅોનેપ્રહતતીકરાવી દો. અણી ચૂકશો નહહ, લાખ્ખોની સંખ્યામાં મધ્ય લંડનને ઘેરી લો, કૃષ્ણ સંકકતુનની ધૂન મચાવો, હસંહગજુના કરતા જયઘોિથી અાકાશ ગજાવી દો." ગુજરાત સમાચાર અને એહશયન વોઇસ’ના પ્રથમ પાને રજૂ થયેલા

અાવા સમાચારો અને તંત્રીલેખો વાંચી માત્ર લંડનમા<થી જ નહહ પરંતુ હિટનના શહેરો, નગરોમાંથી ૧૬મી માચચે બપોરે ૩૫,૦૦૦થી વધુ અાબાલવૃધ્ધ મધ્ય લંડન સ્થથત હોલબનુના હલંકન્સ ઇન કિલ્ડમાં ઉતરી અાવ્યા. અા પડકાર ઝીલીને કેટલીક િારતીય બેંકોના કમુચારીઅો, જી.પી. ડોકટરો, એકાઉન્ટન્ટો, સોલીસીટરો, કમ્પુયટર ઇજનેરો, પત્રકારો સહહત અગ્રગણ્ય ઉદ્યોગપહતઅો પણ હાજર રહ્યા. હોલબનુથી ઢોલ-મંજીરા સાથે િગવા રંગની ધમુ પતાકાઅો અને િાલે કેસરી પટ્ટીઅો બાંધી મુખ્ય માગોુપરથી પસાર થઇ રહેલ હવરાટ સરઘસને જોઇ સૌ કોઇ અાશ્ચયુચકકત બન્યા હતા. અા ઇશ્વર થમરણ કરતી હવરાટ રેલી વેથટહમનથટર પહોંચી ત્યારે પાલાુમન્ેટ જઇ રહેલા સેક્રટે રી અોિ થટેટ જહોન ગમરની કારનેઘેરો ઘાલી મંહદર માટે ન્યાયની અપીલ કરી હતી. કોઇ પણ ધાંધલ-ધમાલ વગર જનમેદનીએ પાલાુમન્ેટ સમક્ષ રથતા રોકી ઘેરો ઘાલ્યો ત્યારે સંસદમાં બેઠલે ા હિટીશ સત્તાધારીઅો હચમચી ગયેલા એટલું જ નહહ, એના ઘેરા પડઘા પડ્યા પણ ખરા. સાથેસાથે હિટીશ સાંસદોને લઘુમતી હહન્દુઅોની તાકાતનો

પરચો પણ મળી ગયો. એ િ દવસે કોઇ ધાંધલ-ધમાલ વગર હરેકષ્ૃણ, હરેરામની ધૂન સાથે પાલાુમન્ેટ સમક્ષ રથતા રોકી બેઠલે ા રામસેના-પાંડવસેનાના દિલીપકુમાર એન. પટેલ, સેજલ ગોર, શ્રી હદરિાસ-ઇસ્કોન, પ્રિીપ ગજ્જર, અજય કુમાર, સુિાન પટેલ, સુરશ ે વાઘજીયાણી, સમીર વસાણી, નટવરલાલ કોટેચીયા, કેતન કોટેચીયા, અરૂણા પટેલ, સુરન્ેદ્ર પટેલ, ઇશ્વર ગતીિાસઇસ્કોન, રાવજીભાઇ પટેલ, રાજ સવજાણી સહહત કેટલાક િાઇ-બહેનો અને વડીલોને પોલીસે બળપૂવકુ ધરપકડ કરી ચાજુડ કયાુ ત્યારે પણ તંત્રીશ્રીએ હબનધાથતપણેપોલીસના ગેરવ્યાજબી વતુનની અાકરી ટીકા કરી ન્યાયપૂણુ રીતે સૌને મુક્ત કરાવ્યા હતા. એનો ૨૫ માચુ '૯૪ના અંકમાં હવથતૃત સહચત્ર અહેવાલ ત્રણેક પાનેરજૂકરતી હેડલાઇનમાંતંત્રીએ ધરપકડ

શ્રી સી.બી પટેલ તથા શ્રી અખંડાધિદાસે૧૬ માચચની ધિરાટ રેલી પછી પૂ. મોરારીબાપુસાથેખાસ મુલાકાત લઇ "હરેકૃષ્ણ મંધદર બચાિ ઝુબ ંશ ે "ની સમગ્ર ધિગતો રજૂકરી હતી. અા પધિત્ર તેમજ ઐધતહાધસક િમચસ્થાન માટેઉદભિેલ જનજાગૃધત, ભકતોના પુરૂષાથચતેમજ સત્યાગ્રહ માગગેથઇ રહેલી પ્રગધત ધિષેતમામ ે માંશ્રધ્િા વ્યક્ત કરી ગધતધિધિ જાણી બાપુએ સંપણ ૂ ચપ્રસન્નતા પ્રગટ કરી. એ િખતેમંધદર બચાિ ઝુબ ંશ ે નેપોતાનો ટેકો જાહેર કરતો એક પત્ર લખી ખાસ સંદશ લખ્યુંહતુંકે, "સિચજન ધહતાય, સિચજન સુખાય મંધદર યથાિત રાખિાનુંજેયજ્ઞકાયચથઇ રહ્યુંછે. તેિમચકાયચઅનેતેમાંપરમાત્મા સફળતા અાપશે”

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મને કે જ્યોત્સનાબેનને લખાવે ત્યારે ઘણીવાર લાગણીભીના બની જિા સી.બીની અાંખેઅમેઅશ્રુિારા વહેિી જોઇ છે. અા ઉપરાંિ ૧૬મી માચચેજયારેલંડનમાં ઠેરઠેરથી માનવમહેરામણ ઉમટયો અનેપાલાયમન્ેટ સમક્ષ િરણાં િરાયાં, િરપકડો થઇ એ દ્રચય જોઇ સી.બી.ની અાંખોમાંથી દડદડ અાંસુપડિાંમેંજોયાંછે.

સૌનેસંગવિત કરતી "એકતા િમશયાિા":

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વોટફોડડનુંમંતદર બંિ થાય િો માત્ર યુ.કે.ના જ નતહ પરંિુસમગ્ર તવશ્વ પર વસિા તહન્દુઅોના માન-સન્માનને બટ્ટો લાગી શકે. અા મંતદર યેનકેન પ્રકારેન બંિ ના થાય એ માટે યુ.કે.ભરના િમામ મંતદરો અને િમય સંગઠનોને એકસંપ કરવા સી.બી પટેલ, ગીિાપ્રકાશ બાલમુકદું પરીખ, સુરન્ેદ્રભાઇ પટેલ (ભવનવાળા), છોટાભાઇ િમશએકતા યાિા દરવમયાન એક મંવદરના અગ્રણીનેભવિવેદાંત મેનોર અનેઇસ્કોનની લીમ્બાચીયા સતહિ ભતિવેદાંિના અનુયાયીઅો િમશપ્રવૃવિઅો વવષેશ્રુવતિમશદાસ (જમણે) સમજાવી રહ્યા​ા છેએ વખતેડાબેથી સવશશ્રી સુરેસદ્રભાઇ શ્રુતિ​િમયદાસ, બીમલ કૃષ્ણદાસ, નીલ માિવદાસ, પટેલ, સી.બી. પટેલ તથા છોટાભાઇ લીમ્બાચીયા. તસધિાંિદાસ સતહિ નવ જણે ચાર તદવસની "એકિા િમયયાત્રા" શરૂ કરી. એમની અા ચાર તદવસની યાત્રામાં કરાયેલાઅોની નામાવલી સાથે સૌની જાગૃતિ-ફરજપરસ્િીને દાદ અાપિાં મૂળ અાફ્રો કેરતેબયન વંશીય અનેઇસ્કોનના અનુયાયી કાવેરી દાસ નામના લખ્યું છે કે, "સંગ સંગ ભેરુ તો સર થાય મેરુ" અને "વ્યહિગત રથચાલકે(ડ્રાઇવરે) ૨૧ ગામો (લૂટન, વેલીંગબરો, લેસ્ટર, લાફબરો, ડબબી, સહિયતાથી સામુહિક સંગઠનનું શૂરાતન". ભારિ બહાર અા પહેલી કોવેન્ટ્રી, બમમંિગહામ, વુલ્વરહેમ્પટન, ચેલ્ટનહામ, ગ્લોસ્ટર, કાતડડફ, તવરાટ તહન્દુ રેલી યોજાઇ હિી જેનો યશ ભતિવેદાંિ મેનોર "ગુજરાિ તિસ્ટોલ, માંચસ્ેટર, બોલ્ટન, પ્રેસ્ટન, અોલ્ટહામ, િેડફોડડ, અાસ્ટન અંડર સમાચાર" િથા "એતશયન વોઇસ" અને એના િંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી. પટેલને લાઇન ઇત્યાતદ) નગરો, શહેરોની સફર કરાવી હિી. અા િમયયાત્રામાંસૌને અાપેછે. સંગતઠિ થવા અપીલ કરિાં કહ્યું કે, "િમારો િમય અહીં મુચકેલીમાં છે. િરે કૃષ્ણ મંહિરના િરવાજા બંધ કરવાના ૧૬ માચચ '૯૪ના પધ્ચચમની િરિી પર આપણે સૌ એકસંપ થઇને અાપણા િમયસસ્ંકારને અલ્ટીમેટમના બરોબર તાકડેજ હિટનના શિેરો-નગરો સહિત લંડનના જાળવીએ અને આ દેશમાં ઉન્નિ મસ્િકે રહીએ. સરકાર જો હરે કૃષ્ણનું ખૂણખ ેણ ૂ થે ી મધ્ય લંડનમાં ઉતરી અાવેલ હિન્િુઅોનો પ્રચંડ જુવાળ અને જોશ જોઇને ભાવહવભોર બની ગયેલા ભહિવેિાંત મેનોરના વડા શ્રી અખંડાહધિાસેબીજા હિવસેરાધા કૃષ્ણની મનોિારી મૂહતચઅોની તસવીર ધરાવતું અઢી ફૂટનું અાભાર િશાચવતું એક ફોલ્ડર "ગુજરાત સમાચાર" કાયાચલયમાં સ્પેશીયલ હડલીવરી કરી મોકલાવ્યુંિતુંજેમાંતંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી અને એમના કાયાચલયના સાથીઅોનો અંત:કરણપૂવચક અાભાર વ્યિ કયોચ િતો. શ્રી અખંડાહધિાસે લખ્યું િતું કે, "તંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી પટેલે પોતાના સમય, શહિ, અનુભવ, સંપકક અને સાધનાનો પૂરપે રૂ ો ઉપયોગ કરી અાટલો ઉત્તમ કક્ષાએ પ્રચાર-પ્રસાર કયોચ તથા યોગ્ય િોરવણી અાપી. જો અા થયુંન િોત તો જેજાગ્રત જનજુવાળ જોવા મળ્યો તેનો અલ્પાંશ પણ જોવા ન મળત. હું માની ના શકું એટલી સંખ્યામાંમાનવ મિેરામણ ઉમટ્યો િતો. કોઇ એક બાબત અાટલી મોટી સંખ્યામાંગંભીરતાપૂવકચ એકત્ર થયા િોય એવું પ્રથમવાર જ બન્યુંછે. અાપના ધમચપ્રમ ે અનેસ્વાહભમાનની કિર કરી પોતાના તરફથી તેમજ ઇસ્કોન અને પૂ. શ્રીલા પ્રભુપાિ વતી િાહિચક અાભાર વ્યિ કરેછે." કોઇપણ કાયયતસધ્ધિનો યશ પોિાને ફાળે નતહ લેવાનો સ્વભાવ િરાવિા સી.બી.એ ૨૫ માચય '૯૪ના "ગુજરાિ સમાચાર"ના પાને જાહેર કરિાં અખંડાતિદાસને જણાવ્યું કે, "અા યશના યશભાગી તો અમારા સૌ વાંચકો છે. સૌએ અાપણો ધમચ બચાવવા માટેની અા ઝુબ ંશ ે માં ગાંઠના ગોપીચંિન કરીને, સ્વેચ્છાએ ફરજ સમજી ઉત્સાિભેર ફાળો અાપ્યો અને હિટીશ સલ્તનત એ હવસ્ફાહરત અાંખે જોઇ રિી." (૧૯૯૪થી ૧૯૯૬ સુિી ચાલેલી અા મંતદર બચાવ ઝુબ ં શે નો યશ ભલે સી.બી. પટેલ સ્વીકારિા ન હોય પણ અા સમયકાળ દરમ્યાન િંત્રીમંડળમાં કાયય કરિાં મેં અા િમામ ભવિવેદાંત મેનોરમાંદશશનાથથીઅોનેજવા માટેનવા માગશની પરમીશન મળ્યા પછી ગતિતવતિ નજરે તનહાળી છે. હું એટલું જરૂર કહી શકું કે શાસ્િોિવવવિથી ભૂવમપૂજન કરાયુંહતુ.ં એ વેળાએ 'ઇસ્કોન" દ્વારા સી.બી.પટેલનેપણ "હરેકષ્ૃણ મંતદર બચાવ ઝુબ ં શે " માટે દમદાર મથાળા સાથે હોમાત્મકવવવિમાંભાગ લેવા ખાસ અામંવિત કરાયા હતા. સી.બીની બાજુમાં સી.બી એમનો અંિરભાવ પ્રગટ કરિાં િંત્રીલેખ કે સમાચાર કાઉન્સસલર ફ્રેસક વોડડઉભા છે The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

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થોભો નિીં" લવામી દવવેકાનંિના અા સૂત્રનેટાંકી સૌનેસજાગ કરવા પ્રયત્ન કયોમ હતો. એ જ અંકમાં "ચેતનવંતુ યૌવન" દશષમક હેઠળ ગીતા પ્રકાશ બાલમુકુંિે પણ યુવાશદિના જોશનેવધાવ્યો હતો. અા ઉપરાંત "મંદિર માટે મેિાનમાં ઉતરેલી યુવાશદિ" (૩૧-૩-૯૫) અને (૭-૪-૯૫ના અંકમાં) "યુવાશહિનો દ્રઢ સંકલ્પ: મંહદર ખુલ્િુંરિેવુંજ જોઇએ" એ દશષમક હેઠળ જાગૃત યુવામોરચાની "ગુજરાત સમાચારે" સરાહના કરી હતી. ૧૯૯૪થી ૧૯૯૬ના સમયકાળ િરમ્યાન હટટલમીયર ૧૯૯૬ મેમવહનામાંહરેકૃષ્ણ મંવદર ઝુંબેશનો ભવ્ય વવજય થયો એ વેળાએ મંવદરના અનુયાયીઅો સાથેવવજયોત્સવ કાઉન્સસલ, કેસદ્ર સરકાર અને મનાવવા એકત્ર થયેલા વહસદુઅગ્રણીઅોમાંજ્યોજમહેરીસન, હરેકૃષ્ણ ટેમ્પલ વિફેસસ કવમટીના પ્રમુખ નરેશ ચઢ્ઢા, યુરોપીયન કોટટ સામે જંગે ચડેલ કાઉન્સસલર ફ્રેસક વોિડ, જયંવતભાઇ એફ. પટેલ તથા કાન્સતભાઇ નાગિા (િાબે) હરેકષ્ૃણ મુવમેસટ દડફેસસ કદમટી, મંદિર બંધ કરવામાંસફળ થશેએ પછી બીજો વારો કયા મંદિરનો આવશે યુવા મોરચાની તમામ ગદતદવદધનેલગિગ િરેક સપ્તાહેએકાિ બેપાનમાં એ દવચારવા જેવું છે. કયુ મંદિર સલામત રહેશ?ે અાપણા ધમમ અને પ્રદસધ્ધ કરનાર અા સાપ્તાદહકોએ દહસિુઅોમાં જનજાગૃદત સાથે દહસિુત્વનું સંલકારવારસાના અબાદધત હક્ક માટે જો તમે આ ઝૂબ ં શે માં સામેલ નદહ ખમીર વધારવાનુ,ં અાત્મસસમાન જાળવવાનું દિશાસૂચન કયુ​ું છે. એ થાવ, તમેએકસંપ થઇ હૃિય અનેઅવાજથી તેનેસમથમન નદહ આપો, અા સમયકાળના "ગુજરાત સમાચાર"ના ૪૦૦થી વધુ પાનાની દવગતો પર અદિયાનને નાણાંકીય ટેકો નદહ કરો, દવરોધ માટે તમે હાજર રહીને નજર નાખતાંએના પ્રથમ પાન અનેઅગ્રલેખ-તંત્રીલેખમાંતંત્રીએ હરેકષ્ૃણ ગણતરીમાંનદહ આવો તો- તેસફળ નદહ થાય.’ મંદિર અાંિોલન માટે નોંધપાત્ર અનુિાન અાપ્યું છે. "હિસદુ મંહદરની િાકિ",યુગની અાવશ્યકતા હિસદુ સંગઠન (તંત્રીિેખ-૨૫-૧૧-૯૪)", શાસકોનેજગાિતો રણટંકાર: લવધમમ, લવહિત, લવમાન, સંરક્ષણનો સંદશ ે (૫-૮-૯૪નો તંત્રીિેખ), દિટીશ સરકાર કે યુરોદપયન કોટટમાં પણ અા મંદિર સામે મચક નદહં સં ઘ ષમ માટે સહિય બને િ સનાતની હિસદુ અ ો (તંત્રીિેખ-૨૮-૧૦-૯૪)", અાપતાં ૨૬ મે ૧૯૯૪માં ફરી સત્તાધીશોને પડકારતા દવરાટ મોરચાનું "િટટલમીયરની હિસદુઅોને ધમકી: મંહદર હવરોધનું ષડયંત્ર બિારનું અાયોજન થયુ.ં ગુરૂવારના દવરાટ મોરચાને િવ્ય બનાવીએ: "હિસદુ િોય િોવાનુ ં જણાવતા લથાહનક રિેવાસીઅો (૨૬-૮-૯૪)", િરેકષ્ૃણ મંહદર તે િાજર થાય: મુસ્લિમ, શીખ, જૈન સૌ જોડાય" (૨૭-૫-૯૪ના માટે જ્િોન ગમરને અપીિ (૫-૮-૯૪)", "િટટલમીયર કાઉસ્સસિના અંકના) પ્રથમપાને બોલ્ડ અક્ષરમાં િખાયેિું મથાળું વાંચી કયો હિસદુ દૂ ર ાગ્રિની કોઇ િદ ખરી?" "અહધકાર અખત્યાર કરીએ", "મંહદર નહિ બેસી રિે?" ગુજરાત સમાચાર"નું િમિાર અા દશષમક વાંચી પાંડવસેના, તો મત નહિ" (૧-૪-૯૪ના અંક), એવું દબનધાલતપણે કયો તંત્રી લખી રામસેના કેસરીયા ધ્વજ લઇ મધ્ય લંડનમાં ઉતરી અાવી હતી. અા દવરાટ શકે કેએનુંપ્રકાશન પડકાર કરી શકેછે? મોરચો થેમ્સ કકનારે થઇ "િર િર મિાદેવ અને િરે કૃષ્ણ"ના જયઘોષ ૧૭ મે, ૧૯૯૬માં જ્યારે હટટલમીયર કાઉન્સસલ અને સરકારના હાથ સાથેઇમ્પીરીયલ વોર મ્યુઝીયમના પટાંગણમાંએકત્ર થઇ સિામાંફેરવાઇ હે ઠ ા પડયા એટલે કે મંદિર તરફી ચૂકાિો અાવ્યો ત્યારે સી.બી.એ તમામ હતી જયાં કેટલાક એમ.પીઅો, કાઉન્સસલરો, શીખ અને મુન્લલમ દહસિુઅોને સંબોધી પ્રથમ પાને લખ્યું કે, "હિટનના હિસદુઅોનો સોનેરી અગ્રગણીઅોએ સિાને સંબોધી દહસિુઅોને થતા અસયાયની અાકરી ટીકા અવસર (૧૧-૮-૯૫" અને "અાનંદો હિસદુઅો: િરેકષ્ૃણ મંહદર કરી હતી. ચળવળનો ભવ્ય હવજય" (૧૭-૫-૯૬) તેમજ "ધમમયધ્ુધના સંઘષમની અા દવરાટ મોરચાનેવધાવતાંતંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી.એ એ જ રીતે૧૯૯૫ શાલત્રોિ સમાહિ (૧૮-૧૦-૯૬)" જેવી હેડલાઇનો સાથે સામેલ થયેલ માચમના "ગુજરાત સમાચાર"માં"જાગો ઉઠો ધ્યેય હસધ્ધ ન થાય ત્યાંસુધી સૌ જનતા જનાિમનનેિવ્ય જીતના યશિાગી ગણાવ્યા. એ પછી મંદિર માટે અલગ માગમ માટે મંજરૂ ી મળતાં એના નવા માગમની યોજના દવષે "હરેકષ્ૃણ માગમની હરખિેર વાલતુપજા ૂ " (૨-૮-૯૬) તેમજ હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિરમાં દવજયોત્સવ મનાવ્યો એના દવલતૃત સમાચારો દવના મૂલ્યે પ્રદસધ્ધ કરવાનું સિકાયમ અા સાપ્તાદહકોએ કયુ​ુંછે. પન્ચચમની ધરતી પર "હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર" ઝુબ ં શે સાથે દહસિુ જનજાગૃદત માટે દનદમત્ત બનનાર અા તંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી. પટેલના તપલવી દપતાશ્રીએ કિાચ િાદવ એંધાણને પારખી તેઅોશ્રીને અા પ્રકાશનના ધંધામાં જવા દિશાસૂચન કયુ​ું હશે!! લગિગ ચાર વષમ સુધી ગુજરાતી અનેઅંગ્રેજી િાષામાંબે-ચાર પેજ માત્ર હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિર ઝુબ ં શે માટેઅાપવા અનેતેપણ કોઇપણ શરત વગર દવના મૂલ્યે(!!!) એ િાગ્યેજ કોઇ પ્રકાશક ભવિવેદાંતના વવશાળ પ્રાંગણમાં"ધમમયુધ્ધના સંઘષમની શાસ્ત્રોકત વવવધથી સમાવિ કરી રહેલા કરી શકે. "હરેકૃષ્ણ મંવદર વિફેસસ કવમટી"ના સભ્યો

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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હરેકૃષ્ણ મંભદર બચાવ ઝૂંબેશની યાદો

"ધમમએકતા યાત્રા" દ્વારા ભભિવેદાંત મેનોર બચાવ અભભયાન

ભહિવેદાંત મેનોર ખાતેહિસદુઅોના ઇષ્ટદેવ શ્રી રામ અનેશ્રી કૃષ્ણના દશશન માટે મંહદરના દરવાજા બંધ કરવાનો સરકારી અાદેશ એ અાપણા િક્ક ઉપર અાકરો િ​િાર િતો. જો ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરનું મંહદર બંધ કરવામાંકાઉન્સસલ કેસરકારનેસફળતા મળેતો હિટનના અસય નગરો કે શિેરોમાંથથપાયેલાંમંહદરો ઉપર પણ તવાઇ અાવી શકેછે. િરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદર બંધ થાય તો હિસદુઅોની શાન અને માનને મોટો ધક્કો લાગી જાય એ હવચારી અા ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરને બચાવવા સી.બી.પટેલના નેતૃત્વ િેઠળ અમેચાર હદવસની "ધમશએકતા યાિા" યોજી સૌ હિસદુમંહદરો, સંગઠનોને એકસંપ થવા અપીલ કરી િતી. ૧લી એહિલ ૧૯૯૪એ શરૂ થયેલી એકતા ધમશયાિામાંગુજરાત સમાચારના તંિીશ્રી સી.બી. પટેલ, સુરેસદ્રભાઇ પટેલ (ભવન), શ્રી ગીતાિકાશ બાલમુકુંદ પરીખ, હું (છોટાલાલ હલમ્બાચીયા), ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરના શ્રી શ્રુહતધમશદાસ, શ્રી બીમલ કૃષ્ણદાસ, શ્રી નીલ માધવદાસ, શ્રી કાવેરી દાસ (ડ્રાઇવર), શ્રી હસધ્ધાંતદાસ એમ નવ જણ જોડાયા િતા. શુક્રવાર, ૧લી એહિલ ૧૯૯૪માં અમે હિથટોલના સનાતન હદવ્ય મંડળની મુલાકાત લઇ મંહદર બચાવ ઝુંબેશમાં સામેલ થવા અપીલ કરી ત્યાંથી કાહડિફ ગયા ત્યાં સનાતન ધમશ મંહદર, કચ્છ લેવા પટેલ, થવાહમનારાયણ મંહદરની મુલાકાત લઇ હમટીંગ કરી, ત્યાંથી ચેલ્ટનિામ ખાતેઇન્સડયન એસોહસએશનના સભ્યોનેમળી બમહિગિામમાંગીતા મંહદર અને શ્રી હિસદુ કોમ્યુહનટી સેસટરમાં હિસદુ સભાને સંબોધી સૌને એકસંપ થવા અપીલ કરી. અિીં એક રાત રોકાણ કરી શહનવારે(૨ એહિલે) ડડલી ખાતેશ્રીકૃષ્ણ મંહદરમાંસભા કરી, ત્યાથી ડાલશથટન હિસદુસમાજ મંડળ, શ્રી કૃષ્ણ મંહદરમાં સભા સંબોધી વેથટ િોમીચના શ્રી કૃષ્ણ મંહદર, વોલસોલના શ્રી રામમંહદર, કોવેસટ્રીના શ્રી કૃષ્ણ મંહદર, અોલ્ડિામના ઇન્સડયન

એસોહસએશન, ભારતીય મંડળ - અાથટન અંડર લાઇન તથા િેથટનમાં ગુજરાત હિસદુ સોસાયટીના નેજા િેઠળ સનાતન મંહદરમાં હવશાળ સભાને સંબોધી રાહિરોકાણ િેથટનમાંકયુિ. રહવવાર, ૩જી એહિલે અમે બોલ્ટન ખાતે શ્રી હવશ્વ હિસદુ પહરષદ અને શ્રી કૃષ્ણ મંહદરમાં સભા કરી ત્યારબાદ િેડફોડિમાં િજાપહત સમાજ અને પાટીદાર સમાજમાં સભાઅો કરી ત્યાથી લીડ્સમાં હિસદુ ટેમ્પલમાં ગયા ત્યાં પણ મોટી સંખ્યામાં ઉપન્થથત સભાજનોને એકસંપ થવા અપીલ કરી. લેથટરમાં શ્રી સનાતન હિસદુ મંહદરમાં હવશાળ સભા કયાશ બાદ શ્રી રામ મંહદર અને લાફબરો રોડ પર અાવેલ શ્રી જલારામ િાથશના મંહદરમાંસભાનુંઅાયોજન કરી "િરે કૃષ્ણ બચાવ" ઝુંબેશમાં સામેલ થવા સૌને અપીલ કરી િતી. લેથટરમાંજ રાહિ રોકાણ કરી અમે૪ એહિલ, સોમવારેસવારેલાફબરોના શ્રી કૃષ્ણ સેસટરમાં ગયા િતા ત્યાંથી વેલીંગબરો હડથટ્રીકટ હિસદુ એસોહસએશન સાથે હમટીંગ કરી લૂટનમાં સનાતન સેવા સમાજમાં સભા કરી સાંજે ભહિવેદાંત મેનોર, વોટફોડિ ખાતે પરત અાવ્યા િતા. ચાર હદવસમાં ૨૬ મંહદરોની યાિા દ્વારા અમે યુ.કે.ભરના હિસદુઅોને એકસંપ કરી એકતા સાધી શક્યા એટલું જ નહિ પણ િટિથમીયર કાઉન્સસલ અને સરકાર સામેસત્યાગ્રિ માગગેલડત અાદરી અાપણા અહધકારો માટેહવજય મેળવી શક્યા એ ઇશ્વરની અસીમ કૃપા જ ગણી શકાય.

- છોટાલાલ લીમ્બાચીયા, પ્રેસ્ટન

વોટફોડિના ભહિવેદાંત મેનોર અને િટિથ મીયર કાઉન્સસલ વચ્ચે ચાલેલો સંઘ ષશ જબરજથત િતો. લેચ મોર િીથમાં જયોજશ િેરીસને વૈહદક થકૂલ માટે ભહિવેદાંત ના શ્રીલા િભુપાદને હવશાળ જગ્યા ખરીદી ભેટ અાપી િતી. એ વખતે નવા માગશ માટે પ્લાહનંગ પરમીશનનો િશ્ન ઉભો થયો અને એની પરમીશન લોકલ કાઉન્સસલ જ અાપી શકે. િટિથ મીયરના ટોરી કાઉન્સસલરો અા બાબતે િઠે ચડ્યા, એમની સામે ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરે પણ મજબુરીથી કાનૂની જંગ છેડ યો. અા કાનૂની જંગ માં ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરના બારણા બંધ થવાની તૈયારી િતી ત્યારે તેઅોએ સી.બી.નો સિકાર માગ્યો. સી.બી.ના િકાશનોને કારણે એમની વગ મોટા ગજાના રાજકારણીઅોથી માંડી નાનામાં નાના વ્યહિ સુધીની િોય એ થવાભાહવક છે. પરંતુ અાપણા માટે હિસદુ તરીકે થવમાનનો સવાલ િતો. સી.બીએ એમના છાપાના માધ્યમ દ્વારા સમગ્ર યુ. કે. ના હિસદુઅોને જાગ્રત કયાશ. એમણે હવહવધ વાડાઅોમાં વિેંચાયેલ સંિ દાયોને એકસંપ થઇ હિસદુઅોનો સંગ હઠત અવાજ રજૂ કરવા િાકલ કરી. સી.બી. જયાં જયાં સારું કામ કરે ત્યાં હું એમની સાથે જોડાઉં. મને ખબર છે કે અા યુગ માં હમહડયાનો પાવર કેટ લો છે! ગાંધીજી પણ હમહડયામાં માનતા જ િતા. સી.બીએ ગાંધી ચીંધ્યા માગગે સત્યાગ્રિ શરૂ કયોશ, એ પછી મધ્ય લંડ નથી પાલાશમેસ ટ થકવેર સુધીની હવરાટ હિસદુ રેલી એ તો એક ઐહતિાહસક ઘટના કિી શકાય. સી.બી.ના નેતૃ ત્વ િેઠ ળ "એકતા ધમશ યાિા"નું અાયોજન કરાયું એમાં હું (સુરેસ દ્ર પટેલ ), ગીતાિકાશ બાલમુકુંદ જી, િેથ ટનથી છોટાભાઇ હલમ્બાહચયા તથા ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરના અનુયાયીઅો શ્રુહતધમશદાસ, બીમલકૃષ્ ણદાસ,

નીલ માધવદાસ, કાવેરીદાસ, હસધ્ધાંત દાસે ચાર હદવસમાં ૨૬ મંહદરોની ધમશયાિા કરી સૌ ધમશસંથ થાઅોને એકસંપ થવા અપીલ કરી િતી. અંગ્રેજ શાસકોને સમજ આવતા તેમ નેલાગ્યું િતું કેિવેઆપણે હિસદુઅો સાથે સયાયપૂણ શ વતશન કરવું જ પડશે. આપણા લાંબા સંઘ ષશ બાદ તેમ ણે અાપણી માગણીને સયાયી ગણાવી િતી. સી.બીએ છાપાનો સદુપ યોગ કરી હિસદુઅોને ભેગા કયાશ અને અંગ્રેજ શાસકોને અપીલ કરી શાંહતપૂણ શ રીતે સમજૂતીથી અાપણને નવા માગશની મંજૂરી મેળ વી અાપી. િટિથ મીયર ખાતે કોટિની ઇસકવાયરી બેસાડી િતી એમાં મંહદર હડફેસ સ કહમટીના સભ્યો સાથે સી.બી. પટેલ , કાન્સત નાગડા અને હું પણ િાજરી અાપવા જતો િતો. અા મંહદરની લડતની જીત માટે સી.બી જેટ લા યશના અહધકારી છે એટલા જ એ વખતના ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરના િેહસડેસ ટ અખંડાહધદાસ યશના અહધકારી છે. અખંડાહધદાસ જેવો હડવોટી મેં િજુ જોયો નથી. અાપણા કોઇ િીથટ એની તોલે ના અાવે એવું એનું વૈહદક જ્ઞાન અને અાત્મસમપશણ . અા મંહદર બચાવ ઝુંબેશ "માં અખંડાહધદાસની મિેન ત પણ કારગત હનવડી છે. "િરેકૃષ્ ણ" સંિ દાયના તેઅો હિહલયસટ અનુયાયી કિી શકાય.

"હરેકૃષ્ણ મંભદર બચાવ" ઝુંબશ ે અનેયાદગાર એકતા ધમમયાત્રા

96 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

- સુરેન્ દ્ર પટેલ , ભારતીય વિદ્યાભિન, લંડ ન

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હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર બચાવ ઝૂંબેશ માટે“ધમમએકતા યાત્રા”: ચાર દિવસમાંજ દિટનભરના ૨૬ મંદિરોની મુલાકાત

'એદશયન વોઈસ અનેગુજરાત સમાચાર'ના તંત્રી સી.બી.પટેલના નેતૃત્વ હેઠળની ટીમેસમગ્ર િેશના ૧૨ નગરોમાંઆવેલા ૨૬ જેટલા દવદવધ મંદિરો, સંખ્યાબંધ ધાદમમક સંગઠનો અનેદહન્િુકોમ્યુદનટી સેન્ટસમની મુલાકાતો લીધી હતી. આ યાત્રાનો હેતુમંદિર ઉપરના જોખમની પદરસ્થિદતિી તમામ દહન્િુ નેતાઓનેમાદહતગાર કરવાનો અનેતેમનો ટેકો મેળવવાનો હતો. ધમમએકતા યાત્રા અલગ અલગ નગરો, નાત-જાત તેમજ સંપ્રિાયમાંદવખરાયેલા દહન્િુ સમુિાયમાંએકતા લાવવામાંસફળ નીવડી હતી. પ્રથતુત તસવીરમાંડાબેિી સવમશ્રી શ્રુદતધમમિાસ, દવપીન એરી, કાવેરી િાસ (પાછળ) છોટાભાઇ દલમ્બાચીયા, બાલમુકુંિ પરીખ, સીબી પટેલ, દનલમાધવ િાસ, અખંડાદધિાસ અનેસુરેન્દ્રભાઇ પટેલ.

દવરાટ રેલીમાંદહન્િુત્વની તાકાતનુંપ્રિશમન કરી "હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર"ને ન્યાય અપાવનાર સૌનેધન્યવાિ

સ્વતંત્ર દેશમાંસરકારનેહક્ક છેકેતેપોતાના દેશના હહતમાંકાયદાઅો ઘડે અને તે જ પ્રમાણે સ્થાહનક કાઉન્સસલને પણ તે જ અહિકાર છે. પરંતુ જ્યારે અા કાયદાઅો જયારે રંગભેદી હોઇ શકે ત્યારે તેને મંજૂર અથવા તો સ્વીકારી ના શકાય. અાવી જ રંગભેદી નીહત હટટસ્મીયર કાઉન્સસલે અપનાવી "હરે કૃષ્ણ મંહદર"નેપ્લાનીંગ પરવાનગી ન અાપી. ઘણા વખત સુિી અા મુદ્દેસમાિાન કરવાના પ્રયાસો કરાયા પરંતુ છેવટે બિા પ્રયાસો હનષ્ફળ હનવડયા ત્યારે ભહિવેદાંત મેનોરે"ગુજરાત સમાચાર" અનેએ વખતના અંગ્રેજી સાપ્તાહહક "New Life"ના સહકારથી લંડનમાં અા રંગભેદી વતતણૂક હવરોિ બબ્બે વખત જનજાગૃહત રેલીનું અાયોજન કયુ​ું. અા પ્રકાશનોમાં જવાંમદદી જાગ્રત કરેએવા "હાંક પડેહહસદુજાગે:; ડંકો વાગ્યો લડવૈયા શૂરા જાગજો રે"; હરે કૃષ્ણ મંહદર માટે સહિય બનો" મથાળાં વાંચી હિટનભરમાંથી કોચ ભરીને લોકો લંડનમાં ઉતરી અાવ્યા હતા. ૧૬ માચચે હેરોના "સંગત સેસટર"નું કામકાજ બંિ રાખી હું અને અમારા સહકાયતકરો પણ અા રેલીમાં જોડાયા હતા. મધ્ય લંડનના રસ્તા ઉપર નીકળેલી અા હવરાટ રેલીમાં તમામ રંગ, જાહત-િમતના ભાઇ-બહેનો અને બાળકોને જોઇને હું દંગ થઇ ગયો હતો. ભારત બહાર કદાચ અા પહેલીવાર જ હહસદુિમતના બચાવ માટેસ્થાહનક

અંગ્રેજો, અાહિકનો અને સવતિમતના ભારતીયો એક થઇને હટટસ્મીયર કાઉન્સસલને "હરે કૃષ્ણ મંહદર"ની તરફેણ કરતો પડકાર પૂરા જોર-શોરથી કયોત. "ગુજરાત સમાચાર અને એ સમયના "New Life" પ્રકાશનો તેમજ અાપણી િાહમતક અને સામાજીક સંસ્થાઅોએ સંગહિત થઇ કોઇપણ જાતના અવ્યવહારુ વતતન વગર પાલાતમેસટ સમક્ષ જે પડકાર ફેંકયો તેનાથી યુ.કે.ના રાજકારણીઅો ફકત ચેત્યા જ નહહ પરંતુ પાછલા બારણેથી હટટસ્મીયર કાઉન્સસલના વલણમાં તગડો બદલાવ અાવે એવી ચેતવણી પણ અપાઇ. માચતમહહનાની અા હવરાટ રેલીમાંજોડાયેલ પ્રત્યેક વ્યહિ અહભનંદનને પાત્ર છે. હંમેશા સત્યનો જય હો.

- કાન્તિ નાગડા, સંગિ એડવાઇઝ સેતટર, લંડન

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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યુકેના હિન્દુઇહિ​િાસની ઐહિ​િાસીક અનેસફળ ઝૂંબેશ

ભહિ વેદાંત મેનોરને બચાવવાની ઝૂંબેિને યુકેના હિન્દુ ઇહતિાસની ઐહતિાસીક અને સૌથી સફળ ઝૂંબેિ તરીકે ગણાવી િકાય. આપણા આ પ્રાણ પ્રશ્નએ યુકેમાંવસતા આપણા સમુદાયના તમામ ક્ષેત્રના હિન્દુઅોને ચેતનવંતા અને એકસુત્ર કયાય િતા. આ મિાન ઝુંબેિની ૨૦મી જયંહત પ્રસંગે 'ગુજરાત સમાચાર અને એહિયન વોઇસ' ભહિ વેદાંત મેનોરના સિકારથી હવિેષાંક પ્રહસધ્ધ કરી રહ્યાં છે તે ખરેખર સમયસરનો અને સિેતુક હનણયય છે. એબીપીએલ ગૃપ દ્વારા આ અહભયાનનેસફળ બનાવવા માટેખૂબજ મિત્વનો ભાગ ભજવવામાં આવ્યો િતો. આ અહભયાન માટે શ્રી સીબીએ જેખમીર બતાવ્યુંિતુંતેખરેખર મિાન િતું. સંઘ પહરવારે પણ અ અહભયાન અંગે જનજાગૃહત લાવવા માટે દેિભરમાં ખૂબ જ મિત્વનો ભાગ ભજવ્યો િતો અને સંઘના ઘણા

સદથયોએ જાિેર દેખાવો અને રેલીઅોમાંભાગ લીધો િતો. સંઘ દ્વારા જ તેસમયના ભારતના ગૃિ મંત્રી શ્રી લાલકૃષ્ણ અડવાણીજીને દરહમયાનગીરી કરવા જણાવતા તેમણે હિટીિ સરકાર પર આ પ્રશ્નનો િલ લાવવા જરૂરી દબાણ કયુ​ું િતું. આ હવિેષાંક અને તેના હવમોચન કાયયક્રમને સફળતા મળે તે માટે િુભેચ્છા.

- ધીરજભાઇ ડી. શાહ, સંઘ ચાલક, હહન્દુસ્વયંસેવક સંઘ, યુકે

હું ઇથટ લંડનમાં અપ્ટન હિન્દુ સેન્ટ્રલનો પ્રેહસડેન્ટ િતો ત્યારે અમારા અનેક જૂના સાથીદારોએ વોટફડડ સ્થથત િરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદરને બચાવવા માટે હવહવધ કાયયક્રમોમાં જોડાઇને ભગીરથ પ્રયત્નો કયાય િતા. મંહદરના સંચાલકોની સાથે ‘ગુજરાત સમાચાર - એહિયન વોઇસ’ના તંત્રી સી. બી. પટેલની આગેવાની િેઠળ ૩૫,૦૦૦થી વધુ ભિો અને હિન્દુઅોની રેલીમાં જોડાયા િતા. જેમાં અમારી કહમટીના સવયશ્રી મનિરભાઈ િાિ, સુભાષભાઈ ઠક્કર, મનુભાઈ પટેલ, પ્રકાિભાઈ કોઠારી, હિતેન્દ્ર બુડીયાર, ભાવેિભાઈ રાડીયા, નરેન્દ્ર રાવ, મી. કુડું (બંગાલી એસોહસએિનના પ્રેહસડેન્ટ), િામજીભાઈ પટેલ, મુકુંદરાય વ્યાસ, જયંહતભાઈ પરમાર ઉપસ્થથત રહ્યા િતા. કચ્છ થવાહમનારાયણ ઇથટ લંડનના વડીલ નારણભાઈ રાધયાણી તો તેમની સંથથાના કાયયકરો અને બેન્ડવાજા સાથે મોટી સંખ્યામાંજોડાયા િતા.

આ ઉપરાંત સત્ય સાંઇબાબા સત્સંગ મંડળ, શ્રીનાથજી સત્સંગ (હમલન) મંડળ, હિન્દુથવયંસેવક સંઘ, હવશ્વ હિન્દુપરીષદ, બાંગ્લાદેિ કલ્ચર એસોહસએિન, માલુકુવા સેવા મંડળ, લોિાણા કોમ્યુહનટી, સોરઠીયા પ્રજાપહત મંડળ, શ્રી થવાહમનારાયણ ઇથટ સત્સંગ મંડળ, મલાવી સત્સંગ મંડળ વગેરેસંથથાઅોના કાયયકરો અને સદથયોએ તે સમયે અમોને સાથ આપેલ િતો.

- જગદીશકુમાર લલ્લુભાઈ અમીન, હેરો

આ સંસ્થાઅોના સિકાર વગર શક્ય ન િોિ...

મંહદરનેબંધ કરવાનો એ પ્રયત્ન એક નાના ગામમાં માણસોની ખૂબ જ અવર જવર અને અગવડતા ઉભી કરવાના બિાના િેઠળ િરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદરને બંધ કરવાનો પ્રયત્ન થયો, થોડી સફળતા પણ મળી. પરંતુ ‘ગુજરાત સમાચાર’ના વાંચક વગય, િહરભિો, તંત્રી શ્રી અને કાયાયલયના તમામ કાયયકરોએ જિેમત ઉઠાવી જેને પહરણામે આજે લંડનની બિાર વોટફડડમાંહવિાળ પહરસરમાંપથરાયેલુંિરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદર આજે ‘હિન્દુધમય’ અનેભિો માટેએક સુંદર મજાનુંઅલૌકકક થથળ બની ગયુંછે. દર વરસેિજારો ભિો 'જન્માષ્ટમી'ના બંનેહદવેસ એકઠાંથાય છે. સુંદર વ્યવથથા ધરાવતા કાયયક્રમમાં કોઈ પણ વ્યહિ આવી િકે છે અને કાર પાકક તેમજ જમવાની વ્યવથથા આપણા સૌ માટે ગૌરવની ગાથા છે. જો સી. બી.એ સંઘષય ન કયોય િોત અથવા તો ‘ગુજરાત સમાચાર’નો અમુલ્ય ફાળો ન િોત તો આપણા સૌ માટેઆ ધાહમયક થથળ રિી િક્યુંન િોત. િરેકૃષ્ણ મંહદરની એ લડતથી લઇને આજ હદન સુધી હવહવધ પ્રસંગોએ ક્યારેક કોઇ અજુગતો પ્રશ્ન ઉભો થયો નથી, ભલે ને

98 The Turning Point -

20th Anniversary 2014

પોલીસ હડપાટડમેન્ટની િાજરી િોય કેન િોય. પરંતુ સભ્યતા સૌમાં બની રિી છે જે વખાણવાલાયક અને પ્રસન્નતા આપેછે. બધું જ િોવા છતાંયે એક બાબત ખૂટી રિી છેઅનેતેછે મનોરમ્ય મંહદર પહરસરમાં રિેવાની વ્યવથથા. રિેવાની વ્યવથથા િોય તે ખૂબ જ જરૂરી છે. મુંબઈ સ્થથત 'ઇથકોન'માં રિેવાની અને જમવાની અનેખાસ કરીનેએનઆરઆઈ માટેસરસ સગવડ છે. આિા છે કે વ્યવથથાપકો આ બાબતે હવચારિે અને જરૂર પડે આરામ કરવાની કે રાત ભર રિેવાની વ્યવથથા િોય તો સોનામાં સુગધં ભળિે. જગતની િાંહત આ િરે કૃષ્ણ મંહદરમાં સમાયેલી છે અનેદર વરસેમુલાકાત લેતા અહત આનંદ આવેછે.

- ડો. પ્રહવણ કલૈયા, હોનનચચન.

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રાજકારણી નેતા અનેસંત-મહાત્માઅોનો સંદશ ે

પ્રગટ બ્રહ્મસ્વરૂપ પ્રમુખસ્વામી મહારાજનો દહન્દુજનતા જોગ શુભસંદશ ે

તય.૯-૩-૯૪, જયપુર સમગ્ર ઇંગ્લેન્ડનય દહન્િુભયદવકો પ્રદત, દલ. જણયવવયનું કે ઇસ્કોન સંચયદલત વોટફોડડનય લેચમોરહીથ દવસ્તયરનય શ્રી હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિરમયં અયજે વષોાથી દહન્િુઅો ઉપસનય-ભદિ કરેછેજેટૂકં સમયમયંબંધ થઇ રહ્યુંછેતેજાણી િુ:ખ થયુંછે. સમગ્ર ઇંગ્લેન્ડમયંવસતય દહન્િુભયદવકોએ અય "મંદિર બચયવ ઝુબ ં શે "નય કયયામયંસહયોગ અયપવો જોઇએ અનેકોઇપણ રીતેઅય મંદિર ચયલુરહેતેવો સયમુદહક પ્રયત્ન સૌએ મળીનેકરવો જોઇએ એવી અમયરી પરમ અનુમદત છે. ભગવયન સૌનેબળ-બુધ્ધધ નેપ્રેરણય અયપેએ જ શુભચ્ેછય.

- મિ. નારાયણ સ્વરૂપદાસના જય સ્વામમનારાયણ. (૧૧-૩-૯૪ના ગુ.સ. અંક પાન-૫)

જમણેરી ટોરી નેતા સર રહોડ્સ બોયસનનો લેદખત પત્ર

મિય સી.બી, લેચમોરહીથનું હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિર િશાનયથથીઅો મયટે ખુલ્લુ રહે તે મયટે મેં હંમશે ય ટેકો અયપ્યો જ છે. તયજેતરમયં બીજા ત્રણ કન્ઝવચેટીવ એમ.પી.અો સયથેમેંઅય અંગેસેક્રટે રી અોફ સ્ટેટ ફોર એન્વયયનામન્ેટ, મયનનીય જ્હોન ગમરની મુલયકયત લઇ અય બયબત રજૂઅયત પણ કરી હતી. (અય અંગેનય સમયચયર 'ગુજરયત સમયચયર' તથય 'એદશયન વોઇસ'મયંપ્રદસધધ થઇ ચૂક્યય છે). મંદિર ખુલ્લુંરહેતેમયટેમયરો કયયમી ટેકો ચયલુરહેશેતેની અય પત્ર દ્વયરય હુંઅયપનેઅનેઅયપનય અસંખ્ય વયચકોનેખયત્રી અયપુંછુ.ં - મિ. રહોડ્સ બોયસન (બ્રેન્ટ નોથવના એમ.પી. રાઇટ અોનરેબિ સર રહોડ્સ બોયસન) (ગુજરાત સમાચાર તા.૧૬-૨-૯૬ના અંકના પાન-૩ ઉપર િમસધ્ધ થયેિ છે)

હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદદર બચાવ ઝુબ ંશ ે નેપૂ.મોરારીબાપુનો સંપણ ૂ ણટેકો

"હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિર" ઉપર સંકટ ઉતયયાનય સમયચયર સયંભળી સૌથી પહેલો સંિશે ો મોકલવયમયં પૂ. મોરયરીબયપુ હતય. ગયય બુધવયરે (૧૬ મયચચે) તેઅો અન્ય કયરણોસર લંડનમયં હોવય છતયં દવરયટ સરઘસ-સભયમયં હયજરી અયપી શક્યય નહતય તે કમનસીબી બિલ તેમણેપયરયવયર દવષયિ અનુભવ્યો હતો. શુક્રવયરે'ગુજરયત સમયચયર'નય તંત્રીશ્રી સી.બી. પટેલની મુલયકયત િરદમયયન પોતયની મજબૂરી િશયાવી બયપુએ હરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિરનય િશાન કરવયની ઇચ્છય વ્યિ કરી. પૂ. બયપુસ્વેચ્છયથી લેચમોર હીથનય મંદિરેપધયયયા. ત્યયંટેમ્પલ પ્રેદસડેન્ટ શ્રી અખંડયદધિયસજીએ તેમનુંદવદધવત સ્વયગત કયુ.ું ટેમ્પલ દડફેન્સ કેમ્પેઇન કદમટીની કચેરીમયં બેસી અય સમગ્ર પ્રશ્ન દવષે બયપુએ રજૂઅયત સયંભળી અને અય પદવત્ર તેમજ ઐદતહયદસક ધમાસ્થયન મયટેઉિભવેલ જનજાગૃદત, ભકતોનય પુરૂષયથાતથય થઇ રહેલી પ્રગદત દવષેબયપુએ સંપણ ૂ ાપ્રસન્નતય પ્રગટ કરી. બયપુએ વધુમયંએક ખયસ સંિશે મયંલખ્યુંકે, “સવાજન દહતયય, સવાજન સુખયય” મંદિર યથયવત રયખવયનુંજેયજ્ઞકયયાથઇ રહ્યુંછે. તેધમાકયયાઅનેતેમયંપરમયત્મય સફળતય અયપશેએ દવશેપોતયની શ્રધધય વ્યિ કરી.

- પૂ. મોરારીબાપુ (૨૫-૩-૧૯૯૪ના ગુજરાત સમાચાર અંક પાન-૨)

સ્વાદમશ્રી સત્યદમત્રાનંદજીનો પ્રેરક સંદશ ેો

ઇસ્કોનનુંવોટફોડડખયતેનુંહરેકષ્ૃણ મંદિર દહન્િુકોમની મોટી સેવય બજાવી રહ્યુંછે. અયથી હુંદિટનની સરકયરનેદવનંતી કરૂ છુંકેતેઇસ્કોનની કયયિેસરની મયગણીઅો મંજરૂ કરે. હુંસમગ્ર દહન્િુકોમનેભયરપૂવકા જણયવુંછુંકે, "તેઅય પદવત્ર કયયાને સંપણ ૂ ાસહકયર અયપી પૂરપે રૂ ો ટેકો અયપે. "પયંડવ સેનય"એ યોજેલી શયંદતપૂણારેલીમયંબધય જ દહન્િુઅો એકસંપ થઇનેજોડયય. એકતયમયં જ બળ રહેલંુ છે. ગયંધીજીએ ભયરતને સત્યયગ્રહ દ્વયરય જ સ્વરયજ અપયવ્યુ.ં ન્યયયી હક્કો મયટે દહન્િુ સમયજે એ સત્યયગ્રહનો મયગાજ અપનયવવો જોઇએ. અયપણી લડત અદહંસયત્મક જ હોવી જોઇએ. અય કયયામયંમયરો સંપણ ૂ ાટેકો જાહેર કરૂંછુંજો કેઅન્ય રોકયણોનેકયરણેહુંઅયવય ઉત્તમ કયયામયંરૂબરૂ જોડયઇ શકતો નથી તમનેસૌનેઇશ્વર સફળતય અપયવે. ધયેય દસધધ ન થયય ત્યયંસુધી અટકશો નદહ.

- સ્વામી સત્યમમત્રાનંદ મગમરજી (હમરદ્વાર) (ભૂતપૂવવજગતગુરૂ શંકરાચાયવ) (૧૧-૩-૧૯૯૪ના ગુ.સ. અંક: પાન-૫)

સ્વાદમશ્રી સદિદાનંદનો સંદશ ે

દવલયયતમયંછેલ્લય ૨૦-૨૫ વષાથી દહન્િુઅોની જનસંખ્યય વધી રહી છેએટલેપ્રજાનય પ્રશ્નો અનેએનય ઉકેલ પણ વધી રહ્યય છે. અયટલી દવશયળ સંખ્યયમયંપ્રજાનેઅનેસંગઠનોનેએક કરવય, એમનય પ્રશ્નોનેવયચય અયપવી અનેએનય ઉકેલો રજૂ કરવય, પ્રજાની ગદતશીલતય જાળવી રયખવી અને પ્રજાને અદનષ્ટોદથ બચયવવી અયવય ઘણય કયયોા અય સયપ્તયદહક ગુજરયત સમયચયર દ્વયરય થઇ રહી છે. ધમા અને સંસ્કૃદતનય જતન કયજે અય અખબયરનય તંત્રી જવયબિયરી પૂવકા સયચય પત્રકયર તરીકે ફરજ અિય કરી રહ્યય છેતેપ્રસંશનીય છે. હરેકૃષ્ણ મંદિર બચયવ મયટેજેરીતેસત્યનય મયગચેહક્કપૃ્વક રજૂઅયત કરી દહન્િુ જનતયનેજાગ્રત કરી રહ્યય છેએમયંએમની ધમાપ્રદત શયલીનતયનયંિશાન થયય છે. લંડનથી પ્રગટ થતુંઅય અખબયર ભયરતીયદહન્િુપ્રજાનેખમીરપૂવકા મયગાિશાન કરતુંરહેતથય ઉંચુનેતૃત્વ પ્રિયન કરતુંરહેએવી હયદિાક શુભકયમનય.

- સમિદાનંદ (૨૪-૬-૯૪ના ગુ.સ. અંક:પાન-૩)

20th Anniversary 2014 - The Turning Point

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